GEDF to find potential contenders to build Tsablari HPP tunnel
TBILISI. Aug 13 (Interfax) - The Georgian Energy Development Fund (GEDF) on Monday announced a tender for expression of interest in the construction of a derivation tunnel for the Tsablari hydro power plant (HPP), the company said in a press release.
"The construction project for this HPP, which is part of the Green Field renewable energy program project, envisages a 5.5 km derivation tunnel with a 3m diameter," the company told Interfax.
The 15 megawatt HPP is to be launched at Tsablari River in West Georgia. "The Tsablari HPP is the first project in this program, the cost of which has not yet been specified. Overall, up to $100 million will be invested in the next three years to carry out similar projects to build small HPPs in Georgia," a GEDF spokesman said.
The term for submitting bids is not restricted, and for now the aim of the tender is to reveal potential companies, which will then be invited to participate in a tender to build the Tsablari HPP. "The earlier the bids from contenders come in, the quicker the project will develop," the spokesman said.
The Green Field project is aimed at the construction of HPPs that operate on natural downstream capacity and have capacity of no more than 20 megawatts.
GEDF was established in accordance with a government ruling in 2011. Its main aim is to develop priority renewable energy projects, especially in the hydro power sector, and to attract local and foreign investors.
Water energy is the most readily available source of renewable energy in Georgia. The country has around 26,000 rivers, of which 200 are energy relevant. Their annual potential capacity is equivalent to 15,000 megawatts, and average annual energy is 50 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.
Georgia has currently developed around 20% of its hydro power resources.
