2014-04-16
Project for Construction of Georgia-Armenia New 500kV PTL and Back-to-Back Station in Armenia
On April 16 of 2014 the management of JSC Georgian State Electrosystem and Armenian energy companies – Power System Operator of Armenia and High Voltage Electricity Network signed additional agreement to the contract on the construction of new interconnection line duly signed on January 26 of 2010. According to the amendment new 500kV line will be constructed instead of planned 400kV line and modern high technology equipment – back-to-back station (2X350MW) will be installed on the Armenian side, which will increase the power flow volume between Georgia and Armenia and reinforce stability of the system.
Most part of preparatory and realization works for this project have been finalized from the Georgian side, only approximately 40km section of 500kV line has to be constructed. As for the Armenian side it has much larger segment to implement for which they plan to use KfW resources and the assistance of international consultants.
It is noteworthy that the back-to-back station to be constructed in Armenia will be the second high-technology unit in Caucasian Region following the equipment installed and operating in Akhaltsikhe SS connecting to the power system of Turkey. First stage of this project is planned to be completed by the end of 2018, as for the second stage – 2022.
“Construction of new transmission line connecting Georgia and Armenia is important for strengthening the power systems of two countries and for providing stability and energy independence. We will closely cooperate with our colleagues from the Republic of Armenia and hope that this project will be completed successfully” – stated Sulkhan Zumburidze, Chairman of the Management Board of Georgian State Electrosystem.