Turkey, Georgia open $220 million power plant

GARDABANI, Georgia - Anadolu Agency

CİHAN photo

Georgia’s Gardabani 230-megawatt gas combined cycle plant, built with Turkish involvement, started operating on July 22.

The $220 million facility, located 39 kilometers south of the capital Tbilisi, will meet about 15 percent of the country’s electricity needs.

Speaking at the inauguration, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said Turkish company Çalık Energy constructed and completed the project three months ahead of schedule.

Yıldız said such facilities were direly needed for Turkey and Georgia’s energy cooperation.

“I think this project will lead to other projects in the future between Turkey and Georgia,” he added.

During the opening speech, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said the plant would boost Georgian’s energy independence and energy market.

Georgia imports 80 percent of its energy from other countries.

Although nearly 85 percent of Georgia’s electricity is produced from hydroelectricity, only one fifth of the country’s potential hydropower generation is being utilized.