Tbilisi, Georgia, Nov.12
By Nana Kirtzkhalia - Trend: Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze summed up the results of the ministry's work for the year on Nov.11 and talked about the ministry's perspective plans to journalists, experts and members of the country's government.
According to the minister, tariffs for electricity in Georgia decreased by 3.54 tetri from January 2013 and tariffs for natural gas decreased by 5 tetri from March 1. Kaladze said that electric meters were installed on some 85 percent of subscribers and around 65 percent of the country's population were supplied with gas.
"In addition, Georgia's Energy Ministry has begun the implementation of the project for construction of wind power plants. At the first stage, their capacity will be 20 megawatts and in perspective, this figure will be equal to 300 megawatts," the minister said.
Moreover, according to Kaladze, the construction of power transmission lines with high voltage between Georgia and Turkey, construction and reconstruction of several power transmission lines has been completed. it is also planned to construct Akhaltsikhe-Batumi power transmission line with capacity of 220 kilovolt.
The minister stressed that the state will finance the electrification of some 28 villages in Georgia that remain without electricity. At the first stage the Regional Development Fund will allocate some 1.7 million lari for this purpose. According to the minister, the work has already begun in seven villages and they will be provided with electricity by the end of this year.