On October 18, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov attended the solemn opening ceremony of facilities, constructed as part of implementing the Project for enhancing reliable supply of energy to the capital, and of Administrative Office and Training Center of “General Electric”, the internationally recognized American company and our country’s long-standing business partner. In the morning the President of Turkmenistan proceeded to the new facility “Paytagt” Dispatching Center of “Ashgabatenergo” Production Association to be commissioned. This monumental event was attended by the Chairwoman of the National Parliament, Deputy Chairpersons of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of military and law enforcement authorities, ministries and sectoral agencies, khyakim of Ashgabat and heads of diplomatic missions and representatives accredited to our country, as well as foreign businessmen. Among the ceremony participants - representatives of public organizations, local and foreign media, the general public. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov cordially congratulated the attendees on the upcoming 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Independence and on the occasion of commissioning of “Paytagt” Dispatching Center that will play a major role in improving energy supply in Ashgabat, and wished everyone sound health, family welfare and great success in their work. Mr. Ricardo Cordoba, Commercial Vice-President of “GE Power” for Europe, Russia, CIS states and Turkey, stated that the new advanced Dispatching Center was a positive result of progressive reform strategy pursued by the Turkmen Leader. In this context he also noted that “General Electric” has been working in our country for 20 years, and 37 gas turbines of this company were installed at power plants in Turkmenistan. Mr. Ahmet Chalyk, Head of “Çalyk Enerji” Company, expressed his confidence that the project would facilitate significant enhancement of energy supply to the Turkmen capital and become the worthy contribution to the development of Turkmenistan’s energy industry. The implementation of this project became a major stage in the modernization of engineering and, in particular, Ashgabat electricity infrastructure through the introduction of advanced technologies, including «SСADA» management system. The speeches were followed by awarding of certificates to Turkmenistan for the Project of Facilities Constructed for enhancing Ashgabat’s energy supply. In this regard, the floor was given to Prof Dr. Anny Sasco, Director for Scientific Research at the University of Bordeaux (France). Having expressed to President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov her sincere appreciation for the invitation to visit our country, the guest noted that the Organization for Environmental Security issued the Green Seal for sustainability in social and environmental health for the respective project and works for modernizing Turkmenistan’s energy systems accomplished by “Çalik Enerji” under their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission and fuel-related wastes in the interests of the people of the country. “We witness the triumph of the slogan set forth by the Turkmen leader, “The state is for people”, stressed the guest and presented to the representative of the Turkmen side the Certificate for the Project with a Favorable Impact on Environment, issued by Trust (USA), the Organization for Environmental Security. Then Associate Professor Atilla Dincer, Senior Advisor at Liechtenstein’s Ministry of Economy, took the floor. He conveyed his congratulations to the National Leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov upon successful implementation of the project that would promote improvement of living standards of Turkmenistan people and presented to the representative of the Turkmen side the abovementioned Certificate by the University of Liechtenstein. Then the floor was given to Professor Leopold Kaiblinger, Chair of the European Foundation for International Relations and representative of Austria’s Energy Institute. Having stated that the project for enhancing reliability of Ashgabat’s energy system received the Certificate for Energy Efficiency by Austria’s Energy Institute, Mr. Leopold Kaiblinger presented to the representative of the Turkmen side this document along with the Certificate for Energy Sustainability by the European Foundation for International Relations. The event culminated when President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov solemnly cut the symbolic ribbon to the applause of attendees and proceeded to “Paytagt” Dispatching Center of “Ashgabatenergo” Production Association. The Dispatching Center, built as part of implementing the Project for enhancing reliable supply of energy to the capital, has the most advanced hi-tech equipment and all conditions necessary for successful functioning of the staff. Its two-storey building, unique in design, is located in “Parahat–6” residential area. The first floor accommodates the Dispatcher’s Room from where Ashgabat’s energy system is managed. The network is also schematically outlined on a large display located in the room. All relevant information and videos are transferred here though optical fiber trunks. One of advantages of the Dispatcher’s Room is a possibility to remotely connect and disconnect equipment and power lines. The second floor accommodates the control room, the staff lounge and other rooms for personnel. An additional unique feature of the Dispatching Center is that it can work in parallel with the Central Control Unit of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy. Commissioning of this Center will let control the stable functioning of the capital’s energy system, efficiently manage electrical power flows, coordinate efforts for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment if required and ensure uninterrupted functioning of relevant energy facilities. As for the Project for Enhancing Ashgabat’s Energy Supply as a whole, in line with the relevant Decrees by the President of Turkmenistan, it was implemented in three stages. The project was ordered by the Ashgabat City Council and “Çalik Enerji”, a renowned Turkish company, was hired as the Contractor. Dozens of advanced transformer substations were built as part of implementing the project, with 5 substations working on 220 kV, 22 working on 110 kV and 29 working on 35 kV. 140 10kV-transformer and distribution substations were constructed as well. Moreover, 83.2 km of overhead and 785.1 km of cable power lines were laid to connect new infrastructure objects to the existing Ashgabat power system. In this context, it is appropriate to focus on 5 220kV substations – Ashgabat Diesel Power Station, Dagly, Olimp, Abadan Diesel Power Station and Gurtly. As seen from their names, these substations embrace the capital. After comprehensive presentation on specifics, equipment and technical aspects of the new facility, the President of Turkmenistan put “Paytagt” Dispatching Center into operation upon request from its specialist, and watched on the image display as the electric energy was supplied to the network. Large monitors displayed the energy map of the Turkmen capital, and Central Control Unit, Dagly, Olimp and Nowruz substations joined the conference call that ensured live broadcasting. A.Annamyradov, the specialist of the Central Control Unit of the Ministry of Energy, was communicated first. He expressed to the Head of the State his deep gratitude for construction of such advanced facility and informed the President that electric energy from “Paytagt” Dispatching Center was supplied to the country’s united energy system. N.Charyev, the duty employee of Dagly transformer substation, was called next. He expressed to the National Leader his cordial appreciation of continuous attention to development of electric power industry, enhancing its potential and informed the President of supply of electricity from “Paytagt” Dispatching Center. The video conference was concluded by speakers’ wishing the Head of the State sound health, long life and new outstanding success in his noble endeavors for the sake of prosperity and happiness of the people. Together with event attendees including heads of diplomatic missions and representatives accredited to Turkmenistan, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reviewed mock objects of power facilities ensuring uninterrupted supply of electricity to Ashgabat. At conclusion of viewing of “Paytagt” Dispatching Center, President of Turkmenistan left an entry in the Book of Honorable Guests. The Head of the State bid farewell to the attendees and wished success to workers of power industry, and then proceeded to another facility waiting commissioning. The Presidential vehicle arrived at the administrative office of General Electric in Ashgabat, where the National Leader was cordially greeted by attendees of the solemn ceremony. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov reviewed the office and conditions for work created there. “General Electric Power” Ashgabat Office, whose structure provides for a Training Center, is also equipped with state-of-the-art technology. One of the rooms allows reviewing through live broadcasting the situation at major newly built facilities of the country, among which there are the new International Sea Port in Turkmenbashy, Carbamide Production Plant in Garabogaz, Combined Cycle Power Plant within the Mary Hydropower Station, etc. There in one of the study rooms National Leader Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov held a working meeting with participants of the power project and Government officials. At the outset, the Head of the State reiterated his congratulations to “General Electric Power” Vice-President upon the opening of the office and Training Center of the globally recognized American company, and also highlighted their regional importance in terms of energy cooperation between neighboring states at the current stage. Having emphasized that modern science and technology were closely interconnected with environmental issues, the Head of the State spoke about relevant works ongoing in Avaza National Tourist Zone, the country’s agricultural industry and advantages of water treatment and water-saving facilities. President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov continued by stating that building the Avaza river through a rapidly growing resort area on the Caspian coast cultivated the microclimate, favorable for health promotion and recreation due to combination of unique natural components in that corner of the Turkmen land. As is known, Turkmenistan is a country of arid climate, said the Head of the State, subsequently focusing on implementing the large-scale project for creating “Altyn Asyr” Turkmen lake at the heart of the Karakum desert. The lake will accumulate collector-drainage brackish waters from the country’s arable land. Then the Head of the State visited the Training Center located on the basement floor of the building, where a training course was organized for a group of specialists of “Turkmenenergo” State Energy Corporation. The training focused on combined gas- and steam-turbine plants and was conducted by instructor Thomas Walsh, GE Leading Staff Training Specialist. Here Mr. Ricardo Cordoba, Vice-President of “GE Power”, informed the President that in line with instructions given by the Head of the State at ground-breaking of Mary Power Plant, all measures were taken for introducing advanced technologies to Turkmen specialists. For the purpose of promoting necessary technical information and attracting larger audience, it was decided to conduct trainings with relevant equipment to teach fundamentals of various types of work to professors and students of the State Institute of Power Engineering. Moreover, “Çalik Enerji” Company implemented a vast training program on GELM6000 installations for upgrading skills of operators and maintenance staff of the Ministry of Energy, training young engineers and supervisors who could be promoted to operators. 4 stages of training were conducted in 2 years, with participation of overall of 120 employees of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy. The first stage was dedicated to general equipment, second one focused on practical introduction to LM6000 installations, third stage covered operating and technical maintenance of GE Equipment. The fourth stage was organized as a distance learning program where several courses on gas turbines were put online, and participants were granted access to them. Then GE Vice-President introduced to the President of Turkmenistan Mr. Thomas Walsh, GE Leading Staff Training Specialist in the field of gas-turbine technology, who briefed the National Leader on specifics of conducted training. Thanks to advanced communication technologies, Mr. Dennis Richards, GE Senior Manager for Staff Training and Head of the Training Center in Belfort, and its pool of trainers were introduced to the Head of the State. Having thanked Mr. Dennis Richards for such a proactive approach to cooperation, the Head of the State wished him success in his work. Then Thomas Walsh, GE Leading Staff Training Specialist, asked the President of Turkmenistan for permission to start the training and began the lesson with use of visual aids and relevant equipment. Having reviewed the Training Center’s performance, the Head of the State stressed the fruitful, long-term nature of cooperation with this major American company. Our country is interested in active application of know-how, innovative technologies and developments, and therefore successfully collaborates with GE in the field of energy. Addressing participants of the training, the President of Turkmenistan inquired of acquired skills, mastering high technology and specifics of Combined Cycle Power Plant to be built in Mary and previously constructed power facilities. Trainees gave the National Leader detailed insight into advantages that were created for successful training through advanced technical capacities. Having completed the review of the GE’s new office, the President of Turkmenistan bid a warm farewell to event attendees, wished everyone success and left the venue.