Historical data

Water and water resources are the primary ones among the natural riches of Georgia. Hydro-energetic potential of Georgia (rivers, lakes, water reservoirs, ices, underground waters, bogs) is on one of the first places in the world.
According to historical sources, the first propagandist of utilizing electric lightening in Tbilisi was a famous public figure Niko Nikoladze.  The generation of electric power in Georgia started in 1887, when a heating engine was set in the premises of Georgian Drama theatre. The initiator of this enterprise was a famous Georgian writer and public figure Ilya Chavchavadze.

Borjomula gorge, in the suburbs of Borjomi, was the place where the first hydro-electric station of 103 kilowatts was built in 1898. By the end of 1913, there were 7 small hydro-electric stations and many heat engine  electric stations, with a total capacity of 9 megawatts, and an annual production of almost 126 000 kilowatts - hour.
In the twentieth-century lots of new hydro-electric stations were built. In 1927 there was built an Avchala hydro-electric station "Zahes", Abhess in 1928 and Rionhess in 1934. By 1941, the total capacity of Georgian electric stations reached 180 megawatts. In 1945-1960, 11 new hydro-electric stations were put into operation.

The deficit for electric power in Georgia and a growing consumer demand for electric power, prompted Georgian scientists and engineers to elaborate a common project with foreign specialists, and construct a unique hydro-electric station named "Engurhess", which was brought into operation in 1978.

 On the link below you can see the existing hydro stations in Georgia.

http://www.energy.gov.ge/energy.php?id_pages=65&lang=geo