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2008 Embassy Events

Close Window Ambassador Tefft at Sulori hydropower plant. Left - Gigi Tsiklauri; Right: John Hansen, USAID's Office of Energy and Environment, Director; Middle: Nikolas Okreshidze, USAID Office of Energy and Environment, Senior Engineer.
Ambassador Tefft at Sulori hydropower plant. Left - Gigi Tsiklauri; Right: John Hansen, USAID's Office of Energy and Environment, Director; Middle: Nikolas Okreshidze, USAID Office of Energy and Environment, Senior Engineer.
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Ambassador Tefft at Sulori hydropower plant. Left - Gigi Tsiklauri; Right: John Hansen, USAID's Office of Energy and Environment, Director; Middle: Nikolas Okreshidze, USAID Office of Energy and Environment, Senior Engineer.
Ambassador Tefft at Sulori hydropower plant. Left - Gigi Tsiklauri; Right: John Hansen, USAID's Office of Energy and Environment, Director; Middle: Nikolas Okreshidze, USAID Office of Energy and Environment, Senior Engineer.

Ambassador Tefft Dedicates Small Hydropower Plant in West Georgia

 

On December 2, Ambassador Tefft and Deputy Energy Minister Marika Valishvili cut the ribbon to dedicate the Sulori hydropower plant in the village of Salkhino in the Vani region of West Georgia.  Representatives of USAID’s Rural Energy Program, which supported the rehabilitation of the plant;Georgian government officials; and members of the local community also attended the opening.  In a welcome speech, Ambassador Tefft welcomed the project and reiterated U.S. support for Georgia’s economic development, including the energy sector.  Speaking about the owner of Sulory plant, Ambassador Tefft stressed he was an example for other Georgian entrepreneurs to follow.   The Sulori hydropower plant reopened 20 years after ceasing operations in 1987 due to economic problems.  Its current generation capacity of 800 kw is enough to provide electricity to approximately 1,500 households.