Energy Ministry: Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG is currently preparing tender package to choose general contractor of Armenia-Georgia power transmission line project

ArmInfo. Fichtner GmbH & Co.  KG is currently preparing tender package to choose the general contractor of Armenia-Georgia power transmission line project, Deputy Energy Minister of Armenia Areg Galstyan stated today answering to ArmInfo's question.

According to him it is planned to implement the project in three phases, the sources of financing of the first two phases are already known. It is planned to construct the 400 kV transmission line and two substations in Ddmashen and Ayrum under the first two phases of the project, which will allow connecting to Georgian electricity system in none synchronized regime.  Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG is currently preparing the relevant tender package. Before that the environmental and social impact of the project will be assessed.  These operations will be completed by late 2016. Afterwards, the construction will be launched.

The project aims to link the power grids of Armenia and Georgia and to promote mutually beneficial regional cooperation within the framework of the Iran-Armenia- Georgia-Russia energy corridor. In addition, the project will create prerequisites for synchronous operation of the electric power networks of the CIS member states.  According to FICHTNER, the cost of the project is preliminarily estimated at 326.9 mln EUR. The connection from the Georgian side will be through a 500 kV line from the Marneul substation, and the connection from the Armenian side will be through the 400 kV line from Hrazdan. It was previously reported that the first phase of the project is 105.2 million EUR. Extra 10 million EUR will be lent by the European Investment Bank and another 10 million EUR will be granted by the European Commission. The first phase will be completed in 2018, the second phase worth 100 million EUR will be over in 2021, and the third one worth 125 million EUR - in 2025. At the moment, three power transmission lines connect Armenia and Georgia, namely, Alaverdi-2 (220 kV), Lalvar (110 kV) and Ashotsk (110 kV).