TBILISI, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A groundbreaking ceremony for the Imereti wind power plant project, an investment by Sichuan Energy International Investment Co., Ltd., was held Monday in Tbilisi, marking the official start of construction of the first Chinese-invested new energy project in Georgia.
Margalita Arabidze, head of the Department of Energy Policy and Investment Projects of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, said in her remarks that electricity consumption in Georgia has grown steadily in recent years and that developing domestic energy resources is a top priority for the country's energy sector.
She said Chinese companies would play an important role in developing wind power in Georgia, noting that projects such as the Imereti wind power project would increase the share of green energy in the country's energy mix and contribute to its energy independence.
Davit Narmania, chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, said the project would help strengthen Georgia's energy system, while contributing to the country's socioeconomic development and creating additional opportunities for further economic growth.
Chinese technologies and equipment have already been widely used in Georgia's energy sector, he said, adding that the project would serve as an example of effective technological cooperation between Georgia and China.
Dai Chunyong, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Georgia, said the Imereti wind power project reflects Chinese companies' confidence in Georgia's energy sector, noting that China stands ready to work with Georgia to share development opportunities and improve the well-being of both peoples.
He said new energy and other projects invested in or undertaken by Chinese companies would help reduce carbon emissions and promote Georgia's economic development.
The Imereti wind power project is located in Sachkhere Municipality in Georgia's Imereti region. The first phase is planned to have an installed capacity of 104 megawatts. Once operational, it is expected to generate about 340 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 90,000 local households. ■