Economy minister, World Bank energy mission in Tbilisi discuss projects

Georgian economy minister Levan Davitashvili hosted the World Bank energy mission in Tbilisi to discuss ongoing and future projects in the sector, the ministry of economy announced on Wednesday.

Sebastian Molineus, the World Bank regional director for the South Caucasus, also featured in the meeting, where Davitashvili appreciated the partnership with the bank and emphasised the efforts that had helped Georgia overcome "a number of challenges" and implement “important structural reforms”. 

Davitashvili said the current geopolitical situation around the conflict in Ukraine had “shown even more clearly” the importance of energy security and energy independence, "which is the main direction of the economic policy of our country".

The parties discussed the challenges and solutions in the energy sector of Georgia, with the government policy aimed at reducing the country's dependence on foreign energy resources and sustainable development of the sector noted by the sides. 

The importance of building new hydropower plants, greater use of renewable energy sources, introduction of new technology, sharing of energy efficiency principles, and strategically important infrastructure projects - including the implementation of the Black Sea submarine transmission cable project - were also reviewed.