The Meeting of the Government of Georgia was held on 22 March 2006. The Agenda consisted of 28 items.
At the beginning of the Meeting, Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Noghaideli informed the audience that according to the information from the Department for Statistics, based on the summed-up results of 2005, the GDP growth rate had accounted for 9.3%. He said that it was a very significant indicator, if fact what had been anticipated, and they had every basis to think that the economic growth rate in 2006 would be quite high, and all must work hard to that end.
The Prime Minister of Georgia stated that the Enguri HPP shutoff date would be set in a few days to give way to its rehabilitation works, which were estimated to last three months. Therefore, it was very important to keep the remaining energy facilities in operating condition. He said he was going to personally visit some of them. He asked Minister of Energy of Georgia Nika Gilauri to brief the Government members on the preparedness of other energy facilities in relation to the shutoff of the Enguri HPP.
Minister of Energy of Georgia Nika Gilauri reported: the Georgian power grid has been prepared for the commencement of the Enguri HPP rehabilitation works. In particular, all the electricity import contracts have been signed with the neighbouring countries. The rehabilitation of many facilities has been completed or will be completed within the next few days and it will be possible to put them into operation. One 50-megawatt gas turbine set was switched to the grid yesterday and now the other turbine set is being repaired. As the Minister of Energy said, the power grid will operate without interruption despite the Enguri HPP shutoff.
Press Center of the Chancellery of the Government of Georgia