Georgian Economy Minister - country launching energy facilities “for first time in many years”
The Minister added not all energy projects could be implemented “given social and environmental conditions”, despite support of the energy sector, and added while some projects might appear appropriate from an economic standpoint, they could face challenges because of environmental aspects. Photo: Ministry of Economy
Tweet 
Share
Georgian Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili on Monday said the country was launching new energy facilities into operation “for the first time in many years”, with a number of projects to be implemented to boost additional power capacity.
In his remarks to the media, Davitashvili said economic and environmental aspects were two “important factors” to be considered when making a decision on energy projects, and noted the Ministry had introduced a support mechanism in the economic part, which was “working well” and had received a “positive feedback” from both investors and the international community.
I think we have shown the international community how to implement state support mechanisms and support the sector in high competition conditions. Now we are announcing the second auction [for energy generation], and during this period an intensive dialogue is going on with the private sector, in order to reflect their remarks and opinions as much as possible and to consider the priorities of the energy sector”, he said.
The Minister added not all energy projects could be implemented “given social and environmental conditions”, despite support of the energy sector, and added while some projects might appear appropriate from an economic standpoint, they could face challenges because of environmental aspects.
Davitashvili also made comments on the Kamara hydropower plant project on Tergi River in northern Georgia and said communication over the project between the investor and local community was “still ongoing”, adding the plant would be built in case of receiving local support.
He noted “numerous communications and tight coordination” with the Renewable Energy Association, business sector and the United States Agency for International Development, as the donor agency, had taken place to ensure “consistent contact” with residents.
The official said the communication served to explain the role of energy independence and self-generation, adding the view on energy projects involving renewable energy had “radically changed”.
Paweł Herczyński, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, on Thursday said the bloc and the country were “responding together” to consequences of climate change.
Georgia’s energy sector is in “an active phase” of development and the country’s goal is to “effectively” use the “huge” unused potential of renewable energy through hydro, wind, solar, and other energy-sufficient directions, Romeo Mikautadze, Georgia’s Deputy Economy Minister said on Saturday at the 13th session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
Industrial production of wind power plants in Georgia is set to begin following the signing of a memorandum between the country Economy Ministry, the State Military Scientific Centre Delta and Georgian Wind Energy Association on Wednesday.
More than $1 billion will be spent on completing suspended hydro power plant projects across Georgia to activate 800 megawatts of supply, while the Government will also announce a tender for the construction of new energy facilities adding 1,500 MW of generation, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced at the Government meeting on Monday.
The United States Agency for International Development and Georgian Renewable Power Company have teamed up to develop a solar power project at the Qartli wind farm to increase Georgia's clean energy production capacity during periods of low wind speed in the central municipality of Gori, the USAID announced on Friday.
The Georgian government expects the country's energy sector to receive investments worth $3 billion over the next three years "if all projects being considered are launched", prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said at the government meeting on Monday.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching a new five-year programme in Georgia that aims to build a resilient and diversified energy market in the country, announces USAID.
A 50-megawatt wind power plant near the village of Nigoza in eastern Georgia is planned to begin operations in 2022, announces the Ministry of Economy of Georgia.