During a joint press conference Feb. 16 in Tehran, Iran, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said his country is seeking Iranian investment in the construction of hydroelectric power plants, according to published reports.

The specific locations of the plants or the amount of their installed capacity was not announced, but Kaladze said Georgia is planning to put US$700 million into renovating the country�s electricity systems, facilities and equipment.

Kaladze said there are 25,000 rivers in Georgia, 300 of which could be used as a source for setting up hydropower plants. He went on to say Iranian companies would develop and build the facilities and as of Feb. 15, visa requirements between the two countries have been removed.

According to a report published in the Tehran Times, Kaladze said only 18% to 20% of Georgia�s water supplies are used for generating power and the country intends to increase the amount of energy it generates from hydropower.

By Hydro World