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(...) Georgia has plentiful hydropower resources, which generate more than three-quarters of its electricity requirements. Hydropower represents 17% of total energy supply, having increased by 7% comparing 2012 to 2002 data. (...) Hydropower plants provide up to 100% of generation in the summer months, while gas-fired power stations and imports meet peak consumption during the winter months.

(...) Because of the rehabilitation of the existing and construction of the new power plants, the annual hydro generation increased by 12% for the period of 2009-2014. For this period, 10 new hydropower plants with a total installed capacity of 157MW were commissioned. (...)

(...) Gas imports are highest during winter months, for heating, and when hydropower capacity for electricity generation falls.

Georgia exports excess electricity from hydropower and is interconnected with the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. (...) Georgia launched a programme for promoting hydropower generation and expects to increase electricity trade with Turkey in the coming years. It is also in discussions with Armenia and Azerbaijan to trade electricity with Turkey via Georgia.

The priorities now are to work on: (...) (b) implementing international standards for environmental and social impact assessments and mitigation; (...) and (d) creating the conditions for efficient private investment in hydropower and other renewables. (...)

In 2013, the Government launched a process of developing medium- to long-term energy policy with a strategy to 2020. The policy will be submitted to parliament for approval and the strategy document is under elaboration. Issues under discussion cover: longer-term hydropower development dedicated to attracting FDI in the hydropower sector in order to phase out thermal generation and imports; meeting domestic demand in full; expanding electricity exports to neighbouring markets; and assessment of the economic potential of renewable energy development (biomass, solar, wind, geothermal) and elaboration of an appropriate legal and regulatory framework with targeted measures and incentive schemes.

In 2014, the Georgian Government approved the country’s Socio-Economic Development Strategy to 2020, (known as Georgia 2020). The strategy sets out the main directions of the country’s energy sector, among other priorities. (...) Key energy sector directions include market liberalization, strengthening private sector participation and competition, developing indigenous energy sources (mainly hydro) and increasing energy efficiency. (...)

In 2014, the Georgian Government started working on a new Georgian Electricity Market Model aimed at boosting hydropower generation to allow increased electricity exports to Turkey and eventually other European markets. The Georgian electricity market model and electricity trade mechanism will be implemented progressively from 2018 to encourage private sector investment in hydropower generation, allowing the country to boost its exports. (...) The eventual goal is for Georgian hydropower producers to have access to European buyers that have varying obligations to purchase electricity from renewable sources.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection governs sustainable resource development and environmental protection, and develops national policies and strategies on environmental and natural resource protection.

Table 4.6 Georgia: comparison between the GATS and the AA/DCFTA specific commitments in trade in services
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA
sectoral commitments, except as indicated in Annex XIV (horizontal reservations)
Cross-border supply in services (modes 1 and 2)
(Annex XIV-F)
(Annex XIV-F)
Positive list Establishment (Annex XIV-E)
(mode 3) Negative list
compared to GATS commitments Commitments (from reservations) compared to GATS commitments Commitments (based on sectoral coverage and limitations)

6. Environmental services
A. Sewage services Partial Same Partial Same Full
B. Refuse disposal services Partial Same Partial Same Full
C. Sanitation and similar services Partial Same Partial Same Full
D. Other Partial Same Partial Same Full
(...)