Georgia, European Commission discuss energy projects

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze and Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy Affairs, discussed projects between the country and the European Union, as well as the convergence of the Georgian legislation with the European law, at the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community last week.

The 20th edition of the Council of the parties to the Energy Community Treaty was hosted in Vienna, with the Economy Ministry revealing on Monday the meeting between the two officials had stressed the importance of the recently signed Black Sea Submarine Electricity Cable project, Agenda.Ge reports.

The initiative, which involves connecting the power systems of the South Caucasus to those of Europe, was welcomed as "strategically important" both for countries of the region and the European Union.

By connecting the power transmission lines and systems of Georgia, Romania, Azerbaijan and Hungary, Europe will be able to connect not only Georgia but also the entire South Caucasus region, the sides noted in the discussions.

The Ministry also said the Georgian side had drawn attention to the country’s potential through its rich hydropower potential and other renewable energy resources.

The country’s representation pointed out Georgia’s "significant potential" to produce surplus energy from renewable sources and supply it to neighbouring countries.