Government still plans gas storage facilities
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Tuesday, January 22
The government is searching for appropriate locations to construct natural gas storage facilities, Energy Minister Aleksandre Khetaguri recently said, according to the newspaper Rezonansi.
Installing gas storage tanks has been discussed in Georgia for the past few years, with authorities touting the economic benefits of buying gas during summer—when prices are lower—for winter use, as well as the energy security that storage facilities provide.
Experts say tanks with a 120–150 million cubic meter capacity cost about EUR 50 million each. Authorities are reportedly considering a 200–300 million cubic meter capacity facility near Rustavi, a city not far from Tbilisi, and a 500 million cubic meter capacity facility near Ninotsminda in southern Georgia.
Currently there are over 600 natural gas storage units worldwide; Azerbaijan has two and Armenia one.
Installing gas storage tanks has been discussed in Georgia for the past few years, with authorities touting the economic benefits of buying gas during summer—when prices are lower—for winter use, as well as the energy security that storage facilities provide.
Experts say tanks with a 120–150 million cubic meter capacity cost about EUR 50 million each. Authorities are reportedly considering a 200–300 million cubic meter capacity facility near Rustavi, a city not far from Tbilisi, and a 500 million cubic meter capacity facility near Ninotsminda in southern Georgia.
Currently there are over 600 natural gas storage units worldwide; Azerbaijan has two and Armenia one.