“Each energy project requires significant research to ensure both proper economic and environmental balance,” Georgia’s Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili said during a debate on Imedi TV.

According to Kvrivishvili, the development of energy projects involves comprehensive planning and a multi-stage process. She noted that significant progress has recently been achieved thanks to strengthened monitoring.

“It is important to consider the development processes of all projects in a comprehensive manner. Planning the process is also extremely important. Quite a number of changes have been implemented in recent months, which primarily include monitoring the development of projects. This is critically important for the state, the population, and investors. At this stage, I can say that we have made very significant progress,” the Georgian economy minister noted.

Kvrivishvili explained that when an investor puts forward an initiative, a research phase begins, involving a comprehensive and in-depth study of the area. Only if the research confirms the project’s feasibility — not only economically but also taking environmental conditions into account — does the project move to the construction stage.

The minister noted that energy projects are put into operation only after the construction phase is completed and then connected to the energy system, and despite their diversity, each project requires thorough research.

“Of course, projects differ in their content as well as in scale — there are small hydropower plants, medium-sized ones, and large hydropower plants; there are solar power plants and wind power stations, and each of these projects requires its own important research to achieve the right balance,” Kvrivishvili explained.

The Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development stated that both the state and investors bear critical responsibility in the development of energy projects, and all procedures must be fully followed, including public discussions at the environmental impact assessment stage.

“We should not be discussing whether the Namakhvani, Nenskra, or Khudoni hydropower plants should be built, but rather how they should be built and what the proper approach is to once again ensure the fulfillment of the main goal — the energy security and energy independence of our country,” Mariam Kvrivishvili said.