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.

In October 2020, Georgian power plants generated 852 mln. kWh of electricity. This represents a 6% increase in total generation, compared to the previous year (in October 2019, the total generation was 800 mln. kWh). The increase in generation on a yearly basis comes from the increase of 17% in wind power generation and 71% in thermal power generation, more than offsetting the decrease of 17% in hydropower generation.

In September 2020, Georgian power plants generated 877 mln. kWh of electricity. This represents a 7% increase in total generation, compared to the previous year (September 2019, the total generation was 821 mln. kWh). The increase in generation on a yearly basis comes from the increase of 15% in wind power generation, 13% in thermal power generation, and 5% in hydro power generation.

Many of us well-remember the cold winter of 2006 when the Russian Federation cut its natural gas supply to Georgia. In general, it is clear that diversification in energy import markets reduces the risk of socio-economic shocks following political tensions with other countries. Fortunately, Georgia managed to find an alternative to the Russian supply and started importing gas from Azerbaijan. This blog will review the current gas import situation and discuss the expected trends in natural gas supply security.

In August 2020, Georgian power plants generated 949 mln. kWh of electricity. This represents a 7% decrease in total generation, compared to the previous year (August 2019, the total generation was 1,020 mln. kWh). The decrease in generation on a yearly basis comes from the decrease of 2.5% in hydropower generation, more than a 9% decrease in wind power generation and a 35% decrease in thermal power generation.