Page 54 - GEORptFeb22

as in electricity provision.
As a result, during his trip Várhelyi announced a series of proposals to "improve access to digital services and broadband internet throughout the country, and also to introduce to Georgia our Green Deal and our Digital plans".
Confirming "five flagship initiatives" for Georgia on Black Sea connectivity, Varhelyi said the strategy "should bring in at least €3.9bn" in investments over the coming years.
The developments come less than four months since the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law said that new powers granted last year to the Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) were "not in line with European standards".
Although unable to comment on specific issues, Varhelyi said of the regulatory environment in Georgia: "Bearing in mind these planned investments in digital connectivity, the independence of the responsible regulator in the field of electronic communications is of crucial importance."
The developments could signal a break in a turbulent period for Georgia's connectivity sector, following challenges to NEQSOL Holding’s ownership of Caucasus Online and recent criticism from a key player in the mobile space. While Varhelyi didn't specifically comment on these matters, he did tell Capacity that domestic and foreign investment would both be key to meeting the €3.9bn investment potential.
He said: "We would expect the investment to come from within Georgia but also from other countries. The EU contribution will be a combination of blending grants, loans and in particular the guarantees under European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD+). This must be complemented by private sector or sovereign debt investments.
"We are working together with Georgia and all our partner countries to develop a pipeline of project proposals. Legal certainty, rule of law and trust in the judiciary are equally key elements to encourage (foreign) investment."
9.1.11 Renewable energy sector news
Residents protest against hydropower station in Georgia
Local residents once again protested against the construction of the Lopota-1 hydroelectric power station in eastern Georgia on 30 November, near the village of Lapankuri, Telavi municipality (Kakheti region), located in the gorge of the Lopota river.
As the protesters told local reporters, despite their dissatisfaction with the plans to build the hydroelectric power station, representatives of the Artana-Lopota company began preparations for the construction on 30 November, in particular, a tractor arrived at the site, and iron structures were delivered for the construction of auxiliary structures.
The construction of the Lopota-1 hydroelectric power station is planned 7 kilometers from the village of Lapankuri, and local residents believe that the construction work will cause irreparable damage to the historical monuments existing on this territory, as well as negatively affect the environment. “I have three children, grandchildren and their children, I want this gorge to be for them. We will not concede to anyone, we will lie down on the road and will not give someone the opportunity to build a hydroelectric power station here,” one of the protesters told reporters. The protesters stated that they were not going to disperse until the representatives of the Artana Lopota company, which was to carry out the construction, left the territory.
Local residents are protesting against plans to build the Lopota-1 hydroelectric
54 GEORGIA Country Report February 2022 www.intellinews.com