Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb.27 /Trend N.Kirtzkhalia/
Georgia has the potential to develop nuclear energy, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Georgia Alexander Khetaguri said in an interview to the Korean newspaper The KoreaHerald.
"First of all, everyone should develop green energy, but from my point of view, the future is connected with nuclear power. We must promote the development of secure technologies for nuclear energy. In the case of Georgia it would be possible in 20-30 years, after we fully utilized water resources," Khetaguri said.
Khetaguri noted that the ministry is actively working to attract Korean investment in hydropower, which will allow the country to utilize its hydro potential. However, he did not exclude that Georgia will produce nuclear energy after 30 years.
Alexander Khetaguri went on a visit to South Korea on February 23. During the visit he met with representatives of major energy companies, and acquainted them with the investment projects. The minister said Georgia has untapped hydro resources amounted to 20 000 MW and is the country-exporter of electricity. Several years ago, Georgia depended on neighboring countries, but thanks to the reforms the situation has changed, and from the importing country, it became a country-exporter of electricity. Export is done to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey.
"We have a very extensive power grid - 82 percent of our generation accounts for hydropower and 18 percent - for gas," Khetaguri said.
Khetaguri also noted that South Korea Energy Power Company has completed research project of cascade of Namahvan hydro power plant on the Rioni river, which potential is 450 MW. List of stakeholders in the implementation of the project worth $800 million will be announced on May 1.
"In addition Hyundai Engineering and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Company is interested in Nenskra power plant (investment of $500 million, staged capacity - 240 megawatts). Companies from Italy, China, Turkey and Russia are also interested in the project. Now we select the participants, but I think that South Korean company will be the investor. We have low taxes, they can conduct their business activities, to make a profit, to create certain kinds of "khabi" from Eastern Europe to Georgia" Khetaguri said.