The new Tskaltubo Substation is one of the important sites for the development of Georgia's electrical grid. As a result of the implementation of this project, the high-voltage transmission network will be strengthened, making it possible to meet the growing demand on electrical energy, Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze stated in his speech while unveiling of the Tskaltubo 500 Substation.
According to the Prime Minister, the project's value is 19.8 million USD.
"I congratulate all of you on the successful completion of yet another important project for our country. Georgian State Electrosystem has finalized the construction of the Tskaltubo 500 Substation, a crucially important site for the development of the power transmission network.
"The new Tskaltubo Substation is one of the important sites for the development of Georgia's electrical grid. As a result of the implementation of this project, the high-voltage transmission network will be strengthened, making it possible to meet the growing demand on electrical energy, delivering electric capacities safely from West Georgia, and linking new HPPs to Georgia's electrical grid. All this will promote the growth of regional infrastructure's bandwidth, maximally tapping into both the export and transit potential of the country's electrical energy.
"The project cost 19.8 million USD, with 350 people, mostly Georgian citizens, employed in the process of construction. Notably, this project meets every environmental and social obligation prescribed by the environmental and social standards set forth by both Georgia's legislation and the World Bank. Employing our Government's support schemes, increasing energy capacities and making use of renewable energy resources will continue. Among others, under the Project for Ensuring Energy Supply Reliability and Financial Soundness, the 500 kV Jvari-Tskaltubo power transmission line will be built to stretch almost 80 kilometers and link the Tskaltubo 500 Substation to the Jvari 500 Substation.
"I want to thank our international partners, donors, every engineer and builder, everyone who has contributed to the successful implementation of this very important project," the Prime Minister said.
According to the Head of Government, fostering the development of the energy sector is one of the pivotal directions of the Government Program.
"Fostering the development of the energy sector is one of the pivotal directions of our Government Program, and we will do our best to maximally cement our country's energy independence. We have a very ambitious goal. We want our power generation to exceed consumption by 2030, in this way making Georgia a completely self-sufficient and independent country in terms of electrical energy, an absolutely realistic task, and work to this end has started and continues. We believe that, by 2028, our power generation will exceed 8,000 MW, with the intention to exceed 10,000 MW by 2030. This is our ambitious goal that will be reached by all means," the Prime Minister stated.
According to the Head of Government, over the next four years, the ruling team will work to the fullest extent toward the country's welfare, including in the energy sphere.
"The trust vested in us by the Georgian people puts enormous responsibility on us, obligating us to work to the fullest extent toward the country's welfare, including the country's maximal success in the energy sphere. We have a very clear, ambitious plan, and we will fulfil this plan conscientiously. Our Government Program is titled Only with Peace, Dignity, and Prosperity toward Europe. Everything is being done to fulfil this task of ours in a streamlined manner.
"Our ultimate ambitious goal is to become a full-fledged EU member state by 2030. To this end, it is crucial to meet prosperity standards by 2030. This is our responsibility to our constituency, over 1,200,000 voters, and not only, i.e. to every citizen of Georgia. This trust must be justified by all means.
"I once again thank everyone involved in the implementation of this vitally important project. I wish you success," the Prime Minister said.
The event's guests were addressed with speeches by Georgia's Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development/First Vice Prime Minister Levan Davitashvili, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey to Georgia Ali Kaan Orbay, and Director General of Georgian State Electrosystem Giorgi Gigineishvili.
