Page 60 - GEORptMay21

The decision of the Venice Commission states that the amendments to the law on electronic communications by the parliament of Georgia contain a number of problems and they can not meet the test of legitimacy or proportionality. Moreover, according to the Commission, as a result of the new legislation, the Georgian Communications Commission has expanded its rights so much that the Venice Commission can not find an analogue in any European country in which the regulator in the field of communications has such unlimited rights to companies.
"The rights conferred on the Commission by law are so broad and comprehensive that through them the owners of the company remain beyond the effective ownership of the company, hence they no longer have the opportunity to participate in the company's decision-making or other processes," the decision reads.
The Venice Commission notes that through the entry in the law on electronic communications, the Communications Commission can "exercise de facto control" over companies.
9.1.12 Renewable energy sector news
Georgia suspends construction of controversial hydropower plant
Georgia to complete refurbishment of
Following continuous protests mounted by the local population and environmental activists, the Georgian government has announced “a 9-12-month moratorium” on the construction of the dam of Namakhvani Hydropower Plant (HPP), a project aimed at securing the country’s energy security but which is fiercely opposed by environmentalists backed by broad public support.
“On the Prime Minister’s instructions, the Ministry of Justice has been mandated to look into the agreement with [Turkish contractor] Enka. The Ministry of Justice shall contract an international law firm to study the compliance of the agreement’s terms with international practice,” read a government statement.
At the government’s invitation, an authorised representative of the European Union’s Energy Union will engage in mediation with the nongovernmental sector, while an international expert will assess the environmental impact of the Namakhvani HPP.
“In coordination with the police, protesters will be allowed to voice their protest, hold rallies, and choose campsites – all in compliance with the law,” added the statement.
The Namakhvani HPP is being built in the Tskaltubo and Tsageri municipalities north of Kutaisi by Enka Renewables. Despite the strong local resistance, the construction works have proceeded to date. The criticism surrounding the project is actively supported by green activist groups.
The project encompasses two separate HPPs on the Rioni River, the longest river that flows solely within Georgia: the Lower Namakhvani HPP (333 MW) and the Upper Namakhvani HPP (100 MW). The construction was scheduled to take place between March 1 this year and July 31, 2024.
Georgia is striving to boost its power generation capacity, which lags behind rising consumption, by building several HPPs. While many of the HPP projects are facing environmental and cultural heritage problems, the country’s power shortage is widening, something which could eventually force the development of alternative solutions.
Unless Georgia develops its hydropower capacities, the country will need imports to cover half of electricity usage within 10 years, Turnava argued.
Enguri hydropower plant (HPP), the largest electricity producer in
60 GEORGIA Country Report May 2021 www.intellinews.com