Georgian Gov't aiming for energy independence by 2030 - Acting Prime Minister

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Acting Prime Minister of Georgia, on Thursday emphasised the significance of the energy sector as a “one of the important” areas for the country's development, revealing an “ambitious plan” of his Government to achieve “full self-sufficiency” in electricity production by 2030.

This goal is entirely achievable in the medium term”, he told the country’s Parliament earlier today.

Kobakhidze highlighted “significant progress” in the sector since 2012, with the construction of 63 hydroelectric power plants, two thermal power plants, and one wind power plant in Georgia.

Electricity production in the country was 3,359 megawatts in 2012, and this figure is projected to reach 4,600 megawatts by 2024. Our target is to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2028 and achieve 10,000 megawatts by 2030. At that point, we will be fully self-sufficient and independent in electricity generation, eliminating the need for electricity imports”, he said.

Our electricity production must not only keep pace with the economy's development but also surpass it”, the Acting PM added.

Kobakhidze also provided updates on natural gas accessibility, noting a threefold increase since 2012 in service delivery to remote areas, resulting in “over 90 percent” gasification of potential subscribers. He said the rate would reach 95 percent by 2028.

Additionally, we have serious plans for expanding internet access, with the creation of 5,000 kilometres of new network infrastructure across the country. Access to water supply is projected to exceed 80 percent, with the urban water supply programme set to be completed next year, followed by continued efforts in urban settlements. Over the next four years, 300,000 citizens will gain access to 24-hour water supply”, Kobakhidze said.

The Acting PM also discussed land registration efforts, revealing  one million citizens had registered their plots of land as part of a systematic programme, with plans to certify the remaining half million next year.

A million and a half plots of land have been measured across the country, and one million citizens have already registered their land within the programme. This initiative will continue next year, with the necessary funding included in the draft budget. The remaining half a million citizens will also register their already measured plots of land, completing the systematic land registration programme”, Kobakhidze said.

The head of the Government also highlighted plans for environmental protection, pledging by 2028 Georgia would have “modern” early warning systems in place, about 100,000 hectares would be added to protected areas, and 15,000 hectares of forests would be restored and planted.

Environmental protection is one of our main priorities, especially given the serious problems caused by global climate change. We have experienced severe natural disasters this year, which underscore the need for proactive measures and prevention”, he said.

Kobakhidze further mentioned air pollution in cities was a “significant concern”.

In [the capital city of] Tbilisi, the rate of air pollution has decreased by 25 percent over the past years, while in Rustavi, it has declined by 35 percent”, he said, adding efforts to improve air quality would continue.

Highlighting the importance of agriculture, the Acting PM announced ₾6.5 billion ($2.38bln) in preferential loans had been distributed to over 47,000 agricultural farms.

In total, ₾6.5 billion ($2.38bln) in preferential loans has been provided to agricultural farms, benefiting over 47,000 direct recipients, thanks to state participation. In the next four years, we will allocate ₾800 million ($292.50mln) specifically for this purpose”, he said.

Additionally, more than 400 processing enterprises and storage facilities have been created under agricultural project programmes. This sector faced serious challenges before 2012. We have allocated ₾120 million ($43.88mln) for financing farmers' equipment, enabling the Government to support the provision of 7,500 units of equipment to those working in the sector. The implementation of these programmes will continue”, Kobakhidze added.

The Acting PM also highlighted the Plant the Future state programme, as part of which new orchards had been planted over an area of 23,600 hectares across the country with a total investment of ₾360 million ($131.63mln).

In the next four years, an additional ₾100 million ($36.56mln) will be invested to plant new orchards on about 10,000 hectares, which is crucial for the further development of agriculture”, he said.

Kobakhidze mentioned reclamation as “another important area”, adding water was accessible only on 59,000 hectares in the country in 2012, but this figure had increased to 210,000 hectares over the past 12 years.

In the coming years,  the Government will allocate ₾1 billion ($370mln) for land reclamation, with plans to expand the total area of water-protected zones to 260,000 hectares, the Acting PM said.