Electricity in Georgia in 2023

In 2023, Georgia's electricity consumption shows a strong reliance on low-carbon energy sources, with more than three-quarters (around 76%) of its electricity coming from clean energy. Of this, hydropower is the dominant contributor, almost exclusively making up the low-carbon segment with approximately 75%. On the other hand, the rest of Georgia's electricity, close to a quarter (about 24%), is generated from fossil fuels, with natural gas being the main source in this category. This heavy reliance on hydropower highlights Georgia's substantial use of sustainable energy, though the dependency on gas for a significant portion indicates room for further improvement in reducing fossil fuel use.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Georgia can take lessons from countries that have successfully diversified their energy portfolios. For instance, France, Slovakia, and Ukraine achieve more than half of their electricity from nuclear power, showing the tremendous potential of nuclear energy. Similarly, Denmark and Ireland generate substantial portions of their electricity from wind power (53% and 32% respectively). As a country with comparable size and historical backgrounds, Georgia could particularly look at Bulgaria and Armenia, where nuclear energy constitutes around 40% and 30% of their electricity, respectively. By investing in nuclear and wind power, Georgia could significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and further lower its carbon footprint.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Georgia, primarily focused on hydropower, shows a fluctuating trend. In the early 1990s, there was a noticeable decline with a significant reduction of 0.9 TWh in 1992 and 1.6 TWh in 1995. However, the late 1990s saw partial recoveries, such as a 0.8 TWh increase in 1996 and a 0.3 TWh increase in 1998. Entering into the 2000s, the country faced further declines, but notable increases occurred in years like 2002 (1.2 TWh) and 2007 (1.5 TWh). The pattern of declines and gains continued into the 2010s, with significant growth seen in 2010 (1.9 TWh) and 2021 (1.9 TWh). This historical volatility underscores the importance of diversifying energy sources to ensure more stable and reliable low-carbon electricity generation in the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources