The Georgian government has announced a tender for the construction of the country’s first wind farm, with support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The tender is planned for the end of January.

Total investments in the project are estimated at $35 million. The EBRD will allocate $25 million for the project in the form of a loan.

The 20MW plant will be built 70km west of the capital Tbilisi, near the town of Gori.

According to the Georgian energy ministry, the project will comprise ten 2MW wind turbines.

Under the terms of the tender, applicants must have had an average annual turnover of at least $20 million for the past five years.

The tender is planned for the end of January.

According to the country’s energy minister, Kakha Kaladze, Georgia has significant potential for wind energy development with up to 1.5GW of capacity possible.

In August, the Georgian government unveiled a package of measures aiming to support the creation of a domestic wind industry from 2016. As part of the proposed measures, foreign investors will be allowed to export up to 80% of energy produced by wind power plants out of the country.