Irakli Kobakhidze: “The Khobi 2 hydropower plant is the largest hydropower facility constructed since the Soviet period.”
Verdict: FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
The size of a hydropower plant (HPP) is primarily determined by two parameters: installed capacity and annual output. The installed capacity of the Khobi 2 HPP amounts to 45 MW with an estimated annual output of 202 million kWh.
Three HPPs larger than Khobi 2 were constructed from 2014 to 2018, including the 87 MW Paravani HPP, with an annual output of 410 million kWh, the 108 MW Dariali HPP, with a potential annual output of 510 million kWh and the largest being the 187 MW Shuakhevi HPP, generating 450 million kWh annually.
The three aforementioned HPPs exceed the Khobi 2 HPP by 1.9 to 4.2 times in terms of capacity, whilst their annual output is 2 to 2.5 times higher, indicating a significant difference.
Considering the statistical inaccuracy and the fact that all three larger HPPS were opened during the governance of the Georgian Dream, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
Analysis
During the opening of the Khobi 2 HPP, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated: “The Khobi 2 HPP is the largest hydroelectric power facility constructed in Georgia since the Soviet period.” The size of a hydropower plant (HPP) is primarily determined by two parameters: installed capacity and annual output. The installed capacity of the Khobi 2 HPP amounts to 45 MW, with an estimated annual output of 202 million kWh.
Despite various pledges since the restoration of independence, large HPPs such as Khudoni, Namakhvani, Nenskra and Tskhenistskali cascade have not been constructed. However, several medium-sized HPPs have been constructed, including Larsi, Khelvachauri, Shuakhevi, Dariali and Paravani HPPs.
The Dariali HPP was opened in 2017 and has an installed capacity of 108 MW – an amount 2.4 times higher than that of Khobi 2. Furthermore, it has an estimated annual output of 510 million kWh, reflecting a 2.5-fold difference as compared to that of Khobi 2. The Dariali HPP generated 412 million kWh in 2023 and 471 million kWh in 2022,
The 187 MW (4.1 times larger than Khobi 2) Shuakhevi HPP was opened in 2017 and has an estimated annual output of 450 million kWh. This HPP produced 488 million kWh in 2023 and 422 million kWh in 2022.
The Paravani HPP, which was opened in 2014, has a capacity of 87 MW and an annual output of 410 million kWh. The HPP generated 353 million kWh in 2022 and 343 million kWh in 2023.
Given the effects of seasonality and river flow, a HPP may generate varying amounts of electricity per year.
Table 1: Capacity and Annual Output of Several HPPs Opened throughout 2014-2024
Source: Georgian State Electrosystem
The Khobi 2 HPP does not lead the statistics in terms of its investment value either, as its construction cost amounted to USD 63 million. In comparison, the Paravani HPP cost USD 200 million, the Dariali HPP – USD 123 million and the Shuakhevi HPP – USD 420 million. Whilst investments contribute to the gross domestic product, an investor’s goal is to maximise electricity generation per USD, rather than spend more. Thus, as investment value increases, the tariff may potentially rise as well, making it challenging to evaluate the overall impact as strictly positive or negative.
Considering the statistical inaccuracy and the fact that all three larger HPPS were opened during the governance of the Georgian Dream, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
