Georgia not receiving electricity from Russia - Energy Regulator Head

Georgia is not receiving electricity from Russia due to sufficient domestic production over the recent months, David Narmania, the Head of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission, was cited as saying by local media outlet bpn.ge on Wednesday. 

Narmania said electricity was mainly on export in May and June to Turkey and Armenia, and added the onset of the spring season and increase in precipitation meant production of local hydropower plants had exceeded local consumption. 

• Energy Regulator Head: Georgia cannot afford to abandon cheap Russian energy for political reasons

He also explained that during the deficit months the country imported electricity from a number of countries including Russia, with cost being the “main determinant” in selection of the source.

The official last week noted the county had “no luxury” of giving up relatively cheap Russian energy for political reasons due to the “sensitivity” of the tariff changes, adding Georgia did not face the threat of an energy crisis in case of the embargo imposed on Russian electricity - for its invasion of Ukraine - as the country had “alternative sources” of power supply.