Developer: Ministry of Energy, Georgia

Project detail and status: This is a 500 kV HVDC project aimed at stabilising Georgia's electric transmission network and facilitating electric energy trade between Georgia, other south Caucasus countries, and Turkey. The project comprises six specific elements: a 500/400/220 kV substation at Akhalsikhe near the Georgian-Turkish border; a 1,000 MW back-to-back 500/400 kV HVDC unit at Akhalsikhe; a 20 km, 400 kV overhead transmission line from Akhalsikhe to the Turkish border; a190 km, 500 kV overhead transmission line from the existing Gardabani substation to Akhalsikhe; a 500 kV overhead transmission line between the existing Zestaponi substation and Akhalsikhe; and extension of the Gardabani and Zestaponi substations.  

The total cost of the project is estimated at EUR260 million, of which EUR100 million will be funded by the German development bank KfW, up to EUR60 million each by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the remainder by the Georgia's government.  

In February 2009, Black & Veatch won the tender for assessment of environmental impact of the project. In March 2009, Georgian State Electro-System (GSE) announced that will begin construction on the Georgia-Turkey line by September 2009.  

In June 2009, EBRD extended EUR60 million loan to the project. The Georgian government has also issued a general procurement notice for equipment and services for the project.