Georgia : Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project

Sovereign Project | 44183-013

The Project is an integral part of Georgia's power sector development plan and the selected components are under GSE's investment priorities. The project objective is to enhance regional power trade by (i) rehabilitating and improving 11 existing substations, and (ii) constructing a new substation.

The project impact will be the contribution to expanding Georgia's power trade in the Caucasus region. Net power exports are expected to increase from 10% of domestic power generation (2011) to 20% by 2019. The project outcome will be a reliable, stable and efficient power operation system to meet increasing demand for power export and transit.

The project outputs consist of the following components:

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Luo, Tianhua
    Central and West Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Georgia
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Energy
Project Name Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project
Project Number 44183-013
Country / Economy Georgia
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Loan
Source of Funding / Amount
Loan 2974-GEO: Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project
Asian Development Fund US$ 48.00 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Sector / Subsector

Energy / Electricity transmission and distribution

Gender Some gender elements
Description

The Project is an integral part of Georgia's power sector development plan and the selected components are under GSE's investment priorities. The project objective is to enhance regional power trade by (i) rehabilitating and improving 11 existing substations, and (ii) constructing a new substation.

The project impact will be the contribution to expanding Georgia's power trade in the Caucasus region. Net power exports are expected to increase from 10% of domestic power generation (2011) to 20% by 2019. The project outcome will be a reliable, stable and efficient power operation system to meet increasing demand for power export and transit.

The project outputs consist of the following components:

(i)Substation rehabilitation and improvement. Rehabilitate 11 existing substations by installing modern digital control and relay protection systems to achieve full functions of the existing supervisory control and data acquisition system and energy management system for efficient power dispatching operation.

(ii)Khorga substation. Construct a new 220/110 kV substation with 220 kV and 110 kV line bays and associated equipment.

(iii)Project supervision and management. Provide assistance to GSE for project supervision and management.

(iv)Study of potential hydropower investment projects. Help the government conduct necessary feasibility studies and due diligence assessments of safeguards on future potential hydropower investment projects.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Sector Overview: Georgia has made significant progress in energy sector reforms over the past ten years to address the chronic power shortages and the poor financial condition of electricity companies. Since 2007, the levels of generation production have surpassed the annual demand, due to rehabilitation of existing HPPs, improvement in the efficiency of energy use, and reductions in losses. Currently, Georgia has power trade with Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. In 2010, Georgia exported 1.5 TWh of electricity power, accounting for 15% of the country's total electricity generation.

The Government has launched a large hydropower investment promotion campaign since 2008 and a number of concession agreements for HPP construction have been awarded. It is estimated that an additional 1,400 MW of new HPPs by 2016-2017 can be added to the existing 2,510 MW of HPPs, providing an additional 3.8 TWh of capacity available for export at an economic value to Georgia of $300 million per year. Of Georgia's potential export markets, Turkey is the most attractive given its summer peak in demand, projected capacity shortfalls and high market prices . There is also the possibility for transit trade from Azerbaijan and Armenia to Turkey. Through the power transit in Turkey, it is expected that the rich energy resources in the Caucasus could eventually be exported to the European market. Georgia could therefore act as a regional hub for energy dispatch and transit through the Caucasus area.

Key Problems and Constraints: To develop the hydropower potential and expand power export, and especially to attract private sector capital for these investments, two critical technical issues need to be resolved: (i) ensuring the stability, reliability, and efficiency of Georgia's power transmission system, and (ii) enlarging the transmission capacity and providing market access to the most promising export markets for surplus power. There is also a significant generation-load regional imbalance within the Georgian power system: two-thirds of Georgia's energy resource is located in the Northwest, while two thirds of the domestic demand is located in eastern Georgia. Additionally most of the potential export market is located in the south of Georgia. The major potential export market, i.e. Turkey, is experiencing rapid growth in electricity demand. Other countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan whilst experiencing modest or indeed at times zero demand growth, are likely to avail of a relatively cheap supply of hydro-energy from Georgia to augment and indeed offset thermal and thermal-nuclear power generation. Power delivery to these markets requires a reliable high voltage transmission network.

To accelerate the hydropower development, the Government also requested ADB to consider financing a run-of-the-river HPP with a capacity of 40-50 MW in 2012. The generated power will be required to meet the increased demand of domestic water utilities due to rehabilitation and expansion of water supply system . Part of the generation may be exported to neighboring countries. After screening potential project sites and conducting pre-feasibility studies, the government will officially propose that ADB finance the HPP.

Sector Policy and Priorities: The government recognizes that the development priority for power is the effective development and utilization of rich hydropower resources. The energy sector policy has a strong focus on (i) efficient utilization of power resources; (ii) rehabilitation of existing generation, transmission, and distribution facilities; (iii) interconnection with neighboring countries to promote energy trade, including transit; and (iv) attraction of investment and privatization. Due to its geographic location, the government aims to establish Georgia to act as a transit country for importexport and transit operations of energy carriers in the Caucasus region. This will move the Caucasus countries closer to establishing a regional power market to facilitate flexible and mutually profitable cross-border energy exchanges. It will eventually result in regional energy resources being used in an efficient and environment-friendly way.

Due to the geographic location of Georgia, the Government wishes Georgia to act as a transit country in import-export and transit operations of energy carriers in the Caucasus region. This will move the Caucasus countries closer towards establishing a regional power market which facilitates flexible and mutually profitable cross-border energy exchanges. It will eventually result in regional energy resources being used in an efficient and environment-friendly way.

ADB's Operations and Sector Strategy: Under its long-term strategic framework, Strategy 2020, ADB will exploit the great promise that regional cooperation activities offer for accelerating economic growth. ADB will assist its member countries realize growth through integration and closer links with their neighbors. The Project is in line with the ADB's Strategy for Georgia, which focuses on upgrading and developing energy infrastructure and enhancing regional energy trade through development Caucasus regional energy market.

ADB has no lending operations in the energy sector yet and the Project provides a unique opportunity for ADB to enter the energy sector. Presently, the Government funding is not sufficient on the scale needed for expansion and rehabilitation of the power system. ADB's involvement can not only contribute to fill the funding gap but also enhance private sector's confidence in the power sector investment. In addition, the Project will complement with other ADB support for the infrastructures including the development of transport and water sectors.

ADB will work with the Government and development partners to improve the structural, legal and regulatory framework needed to attract private sector funding in the sector. Development partners, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), European Investment Bank, European Union, the German development cooperation through KfW, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank, and the European Union, recognize Georgia's vast renewable energy potential and the country's prospect to become a regional power trading hub that capitalizes on the unique geographic location. Substantial progress in the sector reforms and strong improvements in the efficiency of power sector operations were achieved in recent years. This has generated strong commitment among the donor community to continue supporting the sector through project finance, institutional reforms and capacity building.

Impact

Expanded power trade in the Caucasus region.

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Reliable, stable, and efficient power operating system in GEO meets increasing power demand export and transit.

Progress Toward Outcome Physical works on the rehabilitation of all three substations were completed.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Substations rehabilitated and improvement fully implemented.

New Khorga 220/110 kV Substation commissioned.

Project managed on time and within budget.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

All 3 substations are completed and operational.

New substation is completed and operational.

Project was completed as scheduled, and within budget.

Geographical Location Marneuli, Mendzhi, Mtskheta
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The project does not seem to involve major environmental issues that cannot be mitigated. Necessary due diligence was undertaken during PPTA.
Involuntary Resettlement The project does not seem to involve major social issues that cannot be mitigated. Necessary due diligence was undertaken during PPTA.
Indigenous Peoples No impacts on indigenous peoples are envisaged so far.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Stakeholders' consultations through community meetings, discussions, and interviews were conducted during the PPTA. Potential initial stakeholders are general households, business community, and public and social institutions.
During Project Implementation Consultation meetings with affected people and project stakeholders are being done.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services Implementation consultants through QCBS
Procurement Construction and installation of facilities through ICB
Responsible ADB Officer Luo, Tianhua
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Energy Division, CWRD
Executing Agencies
Georgian State Electrosystem
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MOENR)
Timetable
Concept Clearance 06 Jul 2010
Fact Finding 25 Apr 2011 to 06 May 2011
MRM 21 Jun 2011
Approval 17 Dec 2012
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 27 Sep 2017

Loan 2974-GEO

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
17 Dec 2012 21 Mar 2013 23 Oct 2013 31 Dec 2016 - 12 May 2017
Financing Plan Loan Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 67.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 48.00 17 Jun 2022 43.53 0.00 100%
Counterpart 19.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 17 Jun 2022 43.53 0.00 100%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory Satisfactory - Satisfactory

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.


Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

Title Document Type Document Date
Georgia: Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project Project Performance Evaluation Reports May 2022
Georgia: Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project Validations of Project Completion Reports Dec 2018

Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

Title Document Type Document Date
Regional Power Transmission Enhancement Project Procurement Plans Sep 2013