Closer to the Sun: How Solar Power Revived Europe's Highest Village

With a boost from UNDP and the GEF Small Grants Programme, Georgia’s highland communities reconnect with the world

June 3, 2025

Bochorna, Georgia — Photo: UNDP/NGO ‘Kakheti’

Authors

Ira Sulava

UNDP Communications Specialist in Georgia

Sophie Tchitchinadze

Communications Analyst for UNDP Georgia

“We’ve switched the light on in Bochorna!” For the small mountain village of Bochorna, this simple sentence marks a moment of history. After years without an electricity supply, the community has lit up its homes and hopes.

Perched at 2,345 meters above sea level in the stunning Tusheti region in the northeast of Georgia, Bochorna holds the title of Europe’s highest inhabited village. Yet for decades, it seemed destined to fade into memory. Home to 25 families in the 1950s, Bochorna was abandoned by the 1980s. Harsh winters, rocky terrain, and — most of all — the absence of basic services like electricity, forced residents to leave. By 2014, only one person, 84-year-old doctor Irakli Khvedaguridze, lived there year-round.

Home to 25 families in the 1950s, Bochorna had all but vanished by the 1980s. Harsh winters, rocky terrain, and limited access to services drove residents to seek more hospitable conditions in the lowlands. The challenges deepened in the 1990s amid Georgia’s political, economic, and social upheaval. Electricity infrastructure collapsed across the Tusheti highlands, and essential services disappeared altogether.

By 2014, the village had only one year-round resident: 84-year-old Dr. Irakli Khvedaguridze, who chose to remain in his birthplace, becoming a quiet symbol of resilience amid the silence of the mountains.

That all changed in October 2024.

The New Beginning

With support from UNDP and the GEF Small Grants Programme, and in partnership with the Bochorna community, Akhmeta Municipality, and the local NGO ‘Kakheti’, a 15-kilowatt solar power station has been installed in Bochorna, bringing the village a sustainable and reliable source of electricity for the very first time.

“It feels like a miracle! Even the lower villages don’t shine as brightly as we do now,” say locals as they proudly point to the floodlit Bochorna Fortress, an ancient stone landmark watching over the village and the winding Gometsari gorge below.

For many families, Bochorna was still a beloved summer retreat. Every year, about 30 families would return for a few months to tend to the farms and enjoy the untouched beauty of their ancestral home. But without electricity, staying through the cold season was unthinkable. The darkness was more than physical; it symbolised isolation and abandonment.

Now, with the sun powering their homes, the future looks brighter. Renewable energy is making permanent life in Bochorna possible again, unlocking opportunities for farming, tourism, and local businesses.

Bochorna’s revival is part of a bigger story. Since 2012, UNDP and the GEF Small Grants Programme have supported over 100 grassroots projects across Georgia, with a combined value of more than US$2 million. These initiatives have helped restore fragile ecosystems, promote eco-friendly businesses, expand renewable energy, reduce rural poverty, and support social inclusion.

For Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, Bochorna is proof of what small but well-aimed efforts can achieve. “Community-led projects like this show the power of working together. Even modest resources can create lasting change when people unite for a shared goal.”

With Bochorna’s lights shining again, this remote mountain village is not only back on the map — it’s pointing the way forward for sustainable, community-driven development.

Solar power station in Bochorna, Georgia — Photo: UNDP/NGO 'Kakheti'

Back in the Light

Shorena Chapurishvili, from the local NGO ‘Kakheti’, firmly believes that the arrival of solar energy is a chance to reimagine Bochorna’s future.

“Solar energy opens the door to so many new opportunities,” she says. “With reliable electricity, small businesses can grow, tourists can stay longer, and people can even work remotely. Imagine turning Bochorna into a ‘mountain office’ — a peaceful place where you can connect with nature and still stay connected to the world.”

From charging phones and working on laptops to simply walking safely through the village at night, the benefits of solar power are immediate and life-changing. Visitors can now enjoy Bochorna’s beauty without rushing back to modern conveniences elsewhere.

The Power of Community

Bochorna’s journey to solar power is a story of people coming together. For the villagers, the quest to bring light back to their homes became a symbol of resilience, determination, and a community that works as one.

The collaboration between Bochorna residents, the local NGO ‘Kakheti’, and Akhmeta Municipality was key. The Municipality provided the space for the solar station, while the residents themselves stepped up, joining training sessions on renewable energy and forming a community group to keep the power station running smoothly. Every light switched on in Bochorna is a result of their hands-on involvement.

Now, with the newfound stable electricity, the people of Bochorna are thinking even bigger – how to combine solar with wind energy to make their power supply more efficient and sustainable.

Bochorna’s success is already inspiring others. Neighbouring villages have taken notice, as photos and stories of Bochorna’s illuminated homes and fortress spread across social media. What started as a local effort is now sparking a wave of interest in renewable energy solutions across the region.

Georgia’s Solar Advantage

With its diverse landscapes and favourable climate, Georgia holds remarkable yet largely untapped potential for solar energy. From the humid subtropical shores of the Black Sea to the snow-capped peaks of the Greater Caucasus, the country enjoys an abundance of sunlight, a vital natural asset in the transition to sustainable energy.

On average, Georgia experiences 250 to 280 sunny days each year, translating into an impressive 6,000 to 6,780 hours of sunshine annually. Across much of the country, solar irradiation ranges from 1,300 to 2,500 kWh/m² — far exceeding the European average of around 1,000 kWh/m². The highest levels of solar radiation are recorded in Georgia’s mountainous regions, offering prime conditions for solar power generation.

According to the Environmental Information and Education Centre, Georgia’s solar energy potential is estimated at 108 MW annually — a powerful opportunity to drive green growth and energy resilience. (Source: Environmental Information and Education Centre)

This potential is reflected in the country’s upcoming climate commitment, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, which will be submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2025. The third iteration of Georgia’s NDC underscores its ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector by 15% by 2035 and to continue increasing the share of renewables in the national energy mix.

As Nino Antadze, UNDP’s Environment and Energy Team Leader in Georgia, puts it: “Georgia’s diverse geography offers a unique opportunity to develop renewable energy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Solar power is not only an essential part of the country’s energy future but also a key driver in fighting climate change and meeting national commitments under the Paris Agreement.”

For over a decade, UNDP has been at the forefront of promoting renewable energy in Georgia. Working with government institutions, civil society, businesses, and local communities, UNDP has helped strengthen policies and support grassroots solutions.

One of the milestones was assisting Georgia in developing its first Low-Emission Development Strategy 2050, setting a clear path for sustainable growth across the national economy, including the energy sector.

Beyond policy, UNDP piloted hands-on solar energy projects across the country, showing how renewable energy can benefit people, businesses, and ecosystems:

Krtsanisi Park, Tbilisi: A 100 kW solar installation now powers this urban green space, irrigating 50 hectares of forest and restoring eight oxbow lakes affected by riverbed extraction. (GEF-funded)
Eight Municipalities: Solar panels and water heaters were installed in rural areas like Keda, Khulo, Borjomi, and Kazbegi, providing renewable energy for households. (EU-funded, in partnership with CENN)
Machakheli Valley: Seventy-five solar panels and 200 solar water heaters were installed in this iconic valley, benefiting 1,200 residents and reducing reliance on firewood. (Japan-funded)
Lagodekhi Renewable Energy Community: Local civil society organisations are transforming this municipality with solar panels, community-driven energy solutions, and public awareness initiatives. (EU-funded)
Tourism Sector in Guria: Small hotels in Ozurgeti, Khidistavi, Shekvetili, and Gomi now demonstrate how solar energy can boost green tourism. (GEF SGP-funded)
Vocational Training in Poti: The Community College “Phazisi” launched a programme on solar power plant design and operation, preparing the next generation of renewable energy specialists. (GEF SGP-funded)

Each of these projects proves that solar energy is not only about reducing emissions. It’s about improving lives, supporting businesses, and building a greener economy.

For more on UNDP’s work in green energy and climate action in Georgia, check out our Environment & Energy Programme.