Over the past 12 months, from November 2023 to October 2024, Georgia has seen a substantial portion of its electricity being generated from low-carbon sources, with more than three-quarters of its electricity coming from such green sources. Within this high percentage, hydropower dominates, constituting close to all of the low-carbon electricity, with 76%. On the other hand, fossil fuels account for a smaller portion of electricity generation, standing at just over a fifth of the total, exclusively from gas. This indicates a strong reliance on hydropower and a commendable achievement in the utilization of low-carbon energy, though the dependence on a single type of clean energy could be diversified to ensure stability and resilience in energy supply.
To continue growing its low-carbon electricity generation, Georgia can look to other countries that have successfully incorporated varied clean energy sources. For instance, France and Slovakia heavily rely on nuclear power, generating around 68% and 60% of their electricity, respectively, from this stable and efficient source. On the wind energy front, Denmark and Ireland have made significant progress, with wind accounting for 59% and 33% of their electricity. By increasing investments in nuclear energy, Georgia could enhance its electricity security and reduce its fossil fuel dependence while contributing positively to the environment. Furthermore, embracing wind energy could be a strategic move, following in the footsteps of countries like Lithuania and Greece, which have each managed to achieve around 22-34% of their electricity from this abundant resource.
Looking back at Georgia's history of low-carbon electricity generation, it predominantly favored hydropower, with varying results in expansion throughout the years. The early 1990s saw declines in hydropower, with 1992 and 1995 both suffering reductions of around 0.9 to 1.6 TWh. As the years progressed, the trend became more positive. In the latter part of the 2000s and into the early 2010s, there were notable gains, such as a significant increase of 1.9 TWh in 2010. Although the pattern included occasional setbacks, like a drop in 2011, the trajectory overall has been upward. Most recently, the years 2021 and 2024 witnessed growth once more, indicating Georgia's capacity to adjust and enhance its hydropower infrastructure, further paving the way for more balanced low-carbon energy development through potential nuclear and wind projects.