Tbilisi, Georgia, Dec.11
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend:
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze opened a power transmission line with a 400 kilovolt capacity connecting the Georgian and Turkish power systems and Akhaltsikhe substation with a capacity of 500/400/200 kilovolts in the Ahaltsikhe region (Samtskhe-Javakheti region, South Georgia) on Dec.11.
This facility connecting the power systems of Georgia and Turkey is very significant for Georgia and the whole region, Garibashvili said speaking at the opening ceremony.
"Together with our partners from Azerbaijan and Turkey we managed to ensure the connection of our countries' power systems. With the help of this facility we will be able to ensure the export, import and transit of electricity not only to Turkey, but also European countries," Garibashvili stressed.
The new facility will ensure a sustainable development of Georgia's power system and improvement of electricity supply to the country, according to Garibashvili.
"We will be able to sell the surplus electricity to Turkey in the summer period," Garibashvili said.
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, as well as representatives of the Georgian Cabinet of Ministers and international organisations attended the opening ceremony.
Additionally, around 15 Turkish businessmen interested in investing in Turkey's energy also participated at the event.
A power transmission line with a capacity of 400 kilovolts and the Akhaltsikhe substation were constructed within the Black Sea Power Transmission project, according to the data of Georgia's State Power System.
Translated by L.Z.
Edited by S.M.