The Kakhareti SHP was originally built in the mid-1950s and has operated since 1957. The purpose of the hydro power plant at that time was to supply power to the surrounding villages, as well as support agricultural activities in the district. With the help of technical and financial assistance from the Rural Energy Program, the facility will expand its generation capacity from 0 kW to 2,080 kW, increasing generation by 10,840 million kWhs per year.  The rehabilitation project will generate approximately USD 1.17 million in electricity revenues over the next five years. After the completion of rehabilitation ESCO, the Georgian Independent Market Operator, and potentially some local saw mills as direct customers will purchase the plant’s output.  



Rural Energy Program assistance included: 

• Preparation of pre-feasibility studies
• Completion of project technical design documents
• Development of a business plan successful in securing a $520,000 credit line for 5 years at 15%
• Provision of a $148,000 USAID grant
• Development of construction management plans and on-site management assistance
• Completion of an Environmental Management Plan
• Development and institution of an operation and maintenance program

Project Activities: 

• Rehabilitation of a Tyrol-type water intake dam
• Rehabilitation of water intake structure
• Repair of the settling basin and spillway
• Cleaning of the river bed in upper and lower pools of the dam
• Restoration of damaged sections derivation canal (5300 meters)
• Restoration of damaged gates
• Rehabilitation of the road to the headworks
• Rehabilitation of the two turbine/gen sets and controls
• Improvement of powerhouse building
• Rehabilitate the battery room, including ventilation

Results:

• Installed capacity of Kakhareti hydro power plant will increase generation from 0 kW up to 2.08 MW;

• The operation of the hydro power station will positively affect economic and social conditions in the community as well as provide incentives for the development of SHP business in Georgia.
  
   
    Construction of two bio-digesters in Kakhareti started in 2008 at the     farms of Mr. Gvaramadze and Mr. Bochorishvili, each of them having 4     cows, 8 pigs and sheep at their farms what allowed the farmers to         construct a 6 m³ bio-digester, producing between 1 and 1.5 m³ of         usable gas daily. The gas is used for cooking and the production of         diary products. The farmers are using the fertilizer, which is left after     digestion of manure, for growing vegetables and fruits.

USAID Rural Energy Program assistance included:

• Provision of $4000 grant (80% of the construction cost)  – as a technical assistance for construction and testing of two bio-digesters operation
• 20% of the bio-digester’s construction cost was contributed by the farmers in labor and in-kind contributions

Project Activities:

• The Rural Energy Program supervised and monitored the operation of the bio-digester and gathered data which are needed to study the operational viability and efficiency of the equipment.

Results:

• Construction of the bio-digesters improved the quality of life of the farmers family and is demonstrating to the population of the village real benefits of the activity;
• A significant reduction in the families’ requirement for liquid gas;
• Reduction in greenhouse gases through benefical treatment of cattle manure;
• Production of non-chemical clean firtilizer to enhance growing of vegetables and fruits.