Georgia to build 16 hydroelectric power plants
By Nazrin Gadimova
Georgia intends to build 16 new hydro power plants on the Kura
River.
The plant's memorandum of understanding was signed by Georgian
Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze and Director General of the Georgian
Mtkvari Energy company Anzor Kvaratskhelia on October 23.
The MoU includes the technical and economic study of the
project.
Mtkvari Energy must complete the study in 27 months, after which
the technical data of the hydro power plants will be specified and
investors will begin specific procedures on construction.
Once the power plants come on stream, the country's total installed
capacity of the hydro power plants will reach 331.6 MW and the
annual generation of electricity will hit 1.815 billion KW/h.
The project would be completed at the estimated cost of $600 million.
The company will employ 4.5 million people during the construction works, and about 400 job opportunities will be created after the inauguration of the power plants.
Moreover, the Georgian government and the Georgian Hydro Power company signed a memorandum of understanding on the construction of two hydroelectric power stations in western Georgia. The agreement was signed by Kakha Kaladze and Director General of the Georgian Hydro Power company Shamil Birkadze.
According to the MoU, Ubisi HPP with a capacity of 4 MW will be built in Imereti, and Akavret HPP with a capacity of 18 MW will be built in Adjara.
Georgian Hydro Power Company plans to invest $30-35 million in the mentioned projects.