EU wants to invest 500 mln euros in new electricity transmission line between Armenia, Georgia

YEREVAN. Dec 2 (Interfax) - The European Union is to invest 500 million euros in the diversification and reinforcement of Armenia's energy security, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said.

"Several days ago in Tashkent, a document was signed which guarantees Armenia support within the Caucasus Transmission Network project for the improvement of its energy infrastructure, reinforcement of energy security and diversification, as well as to help it become less dependent on external players. In this direction, the European Union is partnering with German development bank KfW," Kos is quoted as saying by state information agency Armenpress.

She said that the project had been signed with a total cost of 500 million euros. "These are investments of 500 million rubles to connect your [Armenia's] power grid with that of Georgia, and we are already working on the Armenia-Turkey transmission line. Why? So that you can become less dependent on Russian energy," Kos said.

The aim of the Caucasus Transmission Network project is to allow for energy to be exchanged across borders within Transcaucasia by synchronizing the power grids of Armenia and Georgia.

The power grids of Armenia and Georgia currently function in different synchronous zones - the Armenian grid is connected to Iran's and the Georgian grid with Russia's. In order for electricity to flow between them, a new transmission line must be built with a direct current link to overcome the current restrictions and create the necessary conditions for electricity trade.

There are several electricity transmission lines with voltages of 220 kV and 110 kV between the countries, but these are insufficient for the efficient exchange of electricity.

A project to build a new high-voltage electricity transmission line of 400 kV with a direct current link on the border between the countries is currently being discussed.