Deputy Economy Minister: energy security "necessary prerequisite" for growth, development

Georgian Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze on Tuesday highlighted energy security as a "necessary prerequisite" for ensuring growth and development, in remarks at the Energy Policy Forum organised by the United States Agency for International Development. 

To gain energy security it is necessary to diversify energy sources, increase energy efficiency, invest in renewable energy and develop new energy technologies", he told the Forum.

The Ministry of Economy cited Mikautadze as saying the Georgian energy sector had achieved "significant progress" in recent decades in gaining energy security and establishing a sustainable energy system.

The ongoing reforms in the sector are aimed at further strengthening its efficiency, competitiveness and security of supply through the introduction of EU energy legislation", Mikautadze said.

The Deputy Minister added the Ministry of Economy had created a state energy policy document for a 10-year period in accordance with EU regulations in a bid to develop the domestic energy sector. 

He also emphasised the importance of utilising local renewable energy sources and developing energy efficiency to strengthen the country's energy security, pointing to "significant resources of water, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy" in the country and adding their utilisation would have a "positive impact on balancing generation and reducing import dependence".