Future of the Georgian Energy Sector Discussed at WEG/USAID Conference

The analytical center World Experience for Georgia (WEG), with the support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) G4G program, conducted a representative Energy Conference in Tbilisi on August 5.

Governmental and non-governmental organizations, donor agencies and the diplomatic corps, representatives of political parties and experts from the energy sector assessed the current problems and future prospects in Georgia’s energy sector.

According to Open Society Georgia Foundation's European Program Manager, Vano Chkhikvadze, it is time to assess the situation in Georgia’s energy sector and outline the steps necessary in order to get closer to European standards.

“The Association Agreement and the Energy Community membership requires these steps,” he said.

According to the OSGF, full implementation of the EU energy legislation in Georgia will take years and it is necessary to start implementation of new reforms now. The organization also offered to assist in the creation of a joint monitoring group from the non-governmental, parliamentary and donor organization representatives.

According to energy expert Davit Mirtskhulava, Georgia faces a lot of challenges in the energy sector.

“There is need to develop the country’s energy sector through new construction and also through full usage of transit potential,” he said.

Energy security, international transit opportunities and the tariff policy were also discussed at the conference.

Thea Morrison