Caucasus Transmission Network - Phase I

The project aims to establish better energy interconnections to enable energy exchange and transit between Armenia and Georgia but also within the south Caucasus region, linking Armenia (via Georgia) to the EU’s European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity power grid. The project will also contribute to establish a continuous power exchange and power trade in the region. In what will be a ‘win-win’ situation, Armenia will export energy to Georgia in winter when Georgia is short of water to generate power whilst Armenia will import energy in the summer when Georgia has a huge surplus. In detail, the project will connect the Armenian and Georgian power grid via a 500/400/220 kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) back-to-back converter station in Ayrum, Armenia, close to the Georgian border. The connection from the Georgian side will be via a 500 kV line from the substation Marneuli while the connection from the Armenian side will be via a 220 kV (later upgraded to 400 kV) line from Alaverdi. Stage one, which is covered by this funding, includes the construction of the HVDC substation in Ayrum and the 500 kV/220 kV line construction on the Georgian and Armenian side.