July 13, 2011 - 19:29 AMT
Optimization of Armenia-Georgia electric power transmission construction new scheme expensive by $5 mln

Armenia and Iran construct high voltage double-cavity electric power transmission lines, with voltage of 400 kW and there is a necessity to continue them to Georgia, according to Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan.

“This will help the country make its input to provision of energy in countries having deficiency in electric power,” Movsisyan told a press conference in Yerevan.

“Initially Armenia and Georgia reached an agreement around one scheme. But Georgia, which started to develop this sector as well, offered more optimal variant, and we agreed,” said the Minister adding that in this case, the cost of the project will, certainly, be higher, but is will be advantageous to export generated energy to Georgia, Turkey and Russia, according to this scheme.

Investments to construction of Armenia-Georgia electric power transmission will total about $20 mln. Financing will be realized by funds of KfW German bank.

On January 21, 2010, the government of Armenia approved the Armenian part of Armenia-Georgia electric power transmission project.

Works on Iran-Armenia high voltage electric power transmission are under way as well. 70% of construction must be finished by the yearend.

Construction works on a new power transmission line will be carried out by Iranian Sanir company. The power transmission line's cost is estimated to total 100-105 mln euros, while its voltage will be 400kW.