Nicolas Gvazava
Nicholas Gvazava is a specialist in the field of environmentally sustainable energy sources, who has advised a variety of public and private entities in relation to Georgian energy sector issues.
A native of Tbilisi, Nicholas Gvazava graduated with honors from the Tbilisi State University Department of Physics in 1981, and worked as a researcher in the Georgian Academy of Science (1981-1983). In 1983, Mr. Gvazava began a course of study at the Hydrodynamics Institute in Moscow, Russia and in 1989 earned a Ph.D. in Hydrodynamic Engineering. During that period, his research was related to the utilization of environmentally responsible energy sources (wind, low tide, steam water, and solar). For two years, Mr. Gvazava headed a special laboratory for Renewable Energy Sources Research at the Tbilisi branch of the Moscow Institute Vodokanal (1989-1991).
Mr. Gvazava has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors regarding environmental and energy issues. In 1993, he was invited to the Parliament of Georgia to serve as an Advisor to the Commission for the Preservation of the Environment and Natural Resources. In 1995, Mr. Gvazava received specialized training in European Environmental Legislation at De Monfort University (Leister, UK) and Linicer College (Oxford, UK).
In 1996, Mr. Gvazava joined the Georgian International Oil Corporation (GIOC). As the Director for Strategic Planning and Development, he was involved in the execution of the Baku-Supsa Oil Pipeline Project. He has spoken publicly at various international conferences organized by the EU, NATO, Energy Charter, TACIS, etc. In 1997, Mr. Gvazava took part in a specialized program for high-level officials at College of Petroleum Studies at Oxford University (UK). From 1997 to 1998, he participated in all negotiations with foreign companies carried out by the GIOC, and coordinated the international relations of GIOC. In 1998, Mr. Gvazava was appointed to the Georgian delegation of the BTC Major Oil Pipeline negotiations.
In 1999, Mr. Gvazava joined the Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) Group as the Director of ABB Georgian Representation. Under his management, between 1999 and 2006, ABB has completed several multimillion dollar projects in the Georgian energy sector. These projects were chiefly related to the upgrade and rehabilitation of Georgian power plants, high- and medium-voltage equipment installations, and the development of automated systems, among which were the control and monitoring systems for the BTC and SCP gas pipelines. Currently, Mr. Gvazava is expanding ABB activities in Georgia and Armenia as Regional Manager.