Georgia can play key role as regional hub for green energy development - Deputy Economy Minister

Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze on Thursday said Georgia’s role as a hub for green energy development was evident in the region in view of its “strategic location”, highlighting the importance of strengthening and developing appropriate infrastructure to ensure the transportation of green energy from the South Caucasus to Europe.

He highlighted the Black Sea submarine electricity cable project, which would contribute to the energy security of the European Union and the Caucasus region, adding the project would not only diversify supply routes but also reduce supply risks, giving Georgia a “great potential” for additional income.

• Deputy Economy Minister praises Georgia-initiated Black Sea submarine cable project as “object of int’l interest”

The development of green energy in Georgia, reform of the electric energy market, encouragement of energy production and use from renewable sources, as well as energy efficiency, were also pointed out by the official at the 12th meeting of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee in Brussels, the Economy Ministry said.

"Georgia's energy sector is in an active phase of development. Our goal is to make full and effective use of the huge unused potential of renewable energy in order to increase the country's energy security", he said, noting a new renewable energy support scheme was elaborated with the support of donor organisations, which provides development of non-traditional sources, including hydrogen, biogas, biomass, geothermal energies.

• Gov't presents new renewable energy support scheme

Mikautadze also emphasised Georgia's 2030 Climate Change Strategy, which envisages achieving the target indicators both in the consumption of renewable energy and for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.