MoE of Georgia: International experts  consider "Black Sea Submarine Cable" project to be promising and feasible

ArmInfo. The Ministry of Economy of Georgia reports that an international study has recognized the project of the underwater energy cable in the Black Sea ("Black Sea Submarine Cable", Black Sea Energy Submarine Cable, BSSC) as promising. The experts have also prepared a feasibility study for the project, Business Georgia reports. 

The Italian Consulting Company CESI conducted the study at the order of Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE) with the financing of the World Bank and the support of the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable development. 

The feasibility study was prepared to identify the possibilities of practical implementation of the project and the best ways to implement it. The Black Sea submarine cable project envisages the arrangement of an underwear high-voltage transmission network, which should connect the electric power systems of Georgia and Europe. The implementation of the project will contribute to the strengthening of energy security in Europe and the South Caucasus region, the development of the renewable energy sector and the increase of transit opportunities. 

The Ministry of Economy also states that the optimal capabilities of the power cable were determined within the framework of the study. An assessment of the cost of constructing the facility and an economic analysis were conducted. 

Earlier, the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Gevorg Papoyan reported that work is underway in Armenia to create the necessary infrastructure to support the upcoming processes within the framework of this project. 

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of "Electric Networks of Armenia" CJSC Karen Darbinyan told ArmInfo that the Tashir Group of Companies is awaiting the decision of the Georgian government to connect Armenia to the project of transporting electricity to European countries. According to him, Tashir intends to build a new thermal power plant in the Noyemberyan region of the Republic with an installed capacity of 126 MW and a cost of over $120 million. The project, as Darbinyan noted, aims to meet the Armenia's electricity needs and export it to Georgia. "We are currently waiting for the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers of Georgia to participate in the electricity transportation project. In particular, we are discussing laying an electric cable along the bottom of the Black Sea to supply electricity from the South Caucasus region to Romania and then to Hungary. Once we receive approval from the government, an agreement will be concluded and the process of constructing the power plant will begin, lasting approximately two years," the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CJSC emphasized.