In December 2020, Georgian power plants generated 930 mln. kWh of electricity. This represents an 8% decrease in total generation, compared to the previous year (December 2019, the total generation was 1,012 mln. kWh). The decrease in generation on a yearly basis comes from the decrease of 19% in hydro power generation, offsetting the 4% annual increases in thermal and wind power generation each.

In November 2020, Georgian power plants generated 865 mln. kWh of electricity. This represents a 5% decrease in total generation, compared to the previous year (November 2019, the total generation was 913 mln. kWh). The decrease in generation on a yearly basis comes from the decrease of 15% and 8% in thermal and wind power generation, respectively, offsetting the 3% annual increase in hydro power generation.

According to the last four years’ data, Georgia has a chronic electricity deficit in ten months out of twelve, with the country showing an electricity surplus only in May and June (and, occasionally, in April and/or July). Despite the COVID-19 crisis dampening electricity demand in the country, 2020 was no exception. After two months – May and June – characterized by a positive generation-consumption gap, starting from July 2020 Georgia has been generating less electricity than required to cover consumption.

The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the food security of many countries, in particular import-dependent developing countries like Georgia. Trade restrictions imposed by Georgia’s trade partners tightened the supply of some cereals and vegetables, signalling the risk of an increase in food prices.

ISET Policy Institute likes to keep our tradition alive and cook up a New Year’s Supra Index for our readers every year. The Index shows the cost of a standard festive “supra” meal for a family of five or six people in each region of Georgia. Traditional dishes included in our calculations are: mtsvadi (grilled cubes of meat), satsivi (chicken in walnut sauce), khachapuri, trout, (pan-fried) chicken tabaka, salad Olivie, pkhali (chopped and minced vegetables with walnut), cucumber and tomato salad, and for dessert, fruit and gozinaki (caramelized walnuts fried in honey). The price of the New Year’s supra, of course, depends on the variety of dishes served for the feast.