Tata Power starts work on 400 MW hydel project in Georgia

Hydel project will be jointly developed by Tata Power along with Clean Energy Invest AS, Norway, IFC InfraVentures

Tata Power today said it has commenced construction work for the first phase of its joint venture 400 MW hydro power project in Georgia.

The ground breaking ceremony for construction of the first phase Shuakhevi project, having a generation capacity of 185 MW, was recently performed by Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The hydel project would be jointly developed by Tata Power along with Clean Energy Invest AS, Norway (Clean Energy) and IFC InfraVentures (IFC).

Agreement with Clean Energy and IFC was signed earlier this year and the projects are being developed for sale of power primarily to Turkey, Tata Power said in a statement today.

"We are delighted with the commencement of the first phase of the hydro project in Georgia," Tata Power Managing Director Anil Sardana said.

Tata Power, India's largest private power producer, has hydel generation capacity of 450 MW in Maharashtra. The company has an installed capacity of over 8,500 MW.

Besides, it has partnership with Norway-based SN Power to develop hydel projects. It is also developing the 114 MW Dagachhu hydro project along with Druk Green Power Company in Bhutan.

Tata Power, as part of sustainability initiatives, aims to have 20-25% of its total electricity generation capacity from clean energy sources.