Deputy economy minister calls energy “solid foundation” of Georgia’s security, strength at Akhalkalaki HPP opening

The energy sector is not only a field that contributes to the economy but it is the most important direction, which, along with economic benefits, is the solid foundation of Georgia’s energy independence, security and strength, Romeo Mikautadze, the deputy economy minister said on Saturday at the Akhalkalaki hydropower plant cascade opening.

Mikautadze stressed the importance of the construction for further development of Georgia’s energy sector to reduce import dependence and increase the quality of energy security, and he added that the government had developed a new support scheme for “encouraging” renewable energies, which would “help attract” investments and develop domestic generation to “ultimately” strengthen the country, the economy ministry said.

Energy development is an alternative way of economic stability and strength of the country. Along with supporting renewable energy, we are looking at the potential of an extensive connection with the European Union in terms of the Black Sea transmission cable project [...] This will further strengthen the role of Georgia in the region”, Mikautadze added.

The deputy minister thanked the local government and population for their support to the investors during the construction process of the Akhalkalaki HPP cascade and said everyone involved in the process had “a historical role”, as Georgia’s integration into the global economy, along with other “important” directions, depended on energy.

The cascade-type power plant with an installed capacity of 9.1 MW is the largest among the ones in Georgia in 2022, with a 40% share of the installed capacity and is located on Paravani and Korkhi rivers in the Samtskhe Javakheti region. It has been developed by the Caucasus Clean Energy Holding, Icelandic energy company Landsvirkjun and local company Hydro Energy, with a $26 million investment, employing around 100 local residents during the construction process.

Within the framework of the opening of the HPP, Mikautadze also got acquainted with the activities of small cascade-type stations and visited social projects, which had benefited more than 7,000 residents, in three villages near the project area.