News
Otar Shamugia became acquainted with the manufacturing process of energy-efficient stoves in Dusheti.
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Georgia, Mrs. Anna Chernyshova, and the State Representative in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, Mr. Davit Nozadze visited the newly opened enterprise of energy efficient stoves.
The company "Esko-esi" invested GEL 2 million to set up energy-efficient stoves. The mentioned company obtained GEL 1.5 million in preferential agro-credit and received GEL 500,000 under the Program ‘’Co-financing of Processing and Storage Enterprises ‘’. The company participates in the co-financing program for energy-efficient stoves as a manufacturer.
" To alleviate environmental pressures, we must support using energy-efficient technology throughout the country. A new enterprise was opened with the support of the state, and part of the company's financing was fully mobilized by the state. The company embraces an educational component, and individuals interested in professional fields are being trained in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
It is worth mentioning that we are implementing a project with GIZ assistance that allows the population, or interested individuals, to purchase energy-efficient stoves, and around 200 households have already benefitted. We think we need more support to further increase interest in this regard." - said Mr. Otar Shamugia.
"Biomass created from hazelnuts and walnut shells is used to fuel energy-efficient stoves, reducing environmental emissions, and making rational use of forest resources. Forty energy-efficient stoves have already been delivered to locals with the help of UNDP, which is crucial," said Mrs. Anna Chernyshova, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Georgia.
According to Zaal Kheladze, the founder of the company "Esko-ES" and the Green Engineering Centre, the new state-supported company employs 25 people. The company plans to produce 33,000 stoves throughout a five-year project and entirely cover Georgia.
With the support of the UNDP and GEF small grants programs, within the framework of the program " Renewable and sustainable clean energy development and impact on social, economic, and environmental health’’, the company "Esko-Esi" implements the social project “Warmth for Everyone”, which involves the installation of energy-efficient ovens for socially vulnerable families in Dusheti Municipality.
It should be mentioned that the Rural Development Agency has issued a grant totaling more than GEL 600,000 to support energy-efficient production, while the amount of "preferential agro-credit" issued for the same purpose surpasses GEL 1.7 million.
The Director of the Rural Development Agency, members of the local government, representatives of the Austrian Embassy, the Caucasus Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations Network (CENN), non-governmental organizations, media, and business sector attended the event.