https://iwpr.net/global-voices/georgia-protests-against-new-power-plant-continue
Many are opposing and protesting the construction of the new hydro-power plant in western Georgia. This projected is said to be the countries biggest energy project over three decades. On March 15, a rally against the power plant was put on in the city of Kutaisi. A public movement against the power plant named “Save the Rioni George”, promised they would step up their acts and involvement in halting the construction of the plant if Georgia’s government doesn’t. The power plant will cost a whopping $800 million dollars and is planned to be built along the Rioni River. Locals argue that they were not informed on the plan and warn of the possible geographic disasters the plant would cause, including very large disastrous landslides. Locals and activists ave been holding a protest camp steadily in the village of Zhoneti for almost five months.
These hydro-power plants as said in the above paragraph could have many negative geographic impacts. The river next to the plants could get contaminated, killing the marine life and possibly ending in citizens water, huge detrimental landslides that would knockout surrounding forest and habitats. Also the construction of the plants, costing $800 million dollars, could have some economic impact. Later on in the article it wrote that the construction of the plant would bring new jobs to local citizens, although that could be a lie. Bringing citizens from overseas to work would be much cheaper for the ENKA company, which is located in Turkey. The $800 million dollars could positively boost georgia’s citizens and economy, but instead the large project that is using American dollars may raise prices for the citizens.
As slightly mentioned above, the power plants could have an economic power impact on georgia. Since the project is being conducted by a Turkish company, but is being built with American currency, the georgia government may have to raise taxes and prices in the state in order to maintain a economic balance of power. Also as countries across the United States start to re-open after the long closure due to the corona virus, It may be hard for Georgia’s economy to come back after spending the $800 million and after being affected by the corona virus.