BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31
Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
Since January 2021 electricity tariffs in Georgia have increased by 18-24 percent, Trend reports via Georgian media.
If the average consumer tariff in Tbilisi is 26.5 tetri (7.79 cents) per kWh, the corporate tariff reaches 32.9 tetri (9.67 cents). taking into account subsidies that don’t cover the cost of electricity , the difference is about 40 percent.
The difference between gas tariffs for the population and for business is even more obvious - if the population pays 46 tetri (13 cents) for 1 cubic meter of natural gas, business – 1.1 lari (32 cents) or 140 percent more.
The difference in water tariffs is more significant - if ordinary consumers pay 50 tetri (14.70 cents) for a ton of water, then commercial facilities - 4.5 lari or 9 times more.
The difference between consumer and corporate tariffs is growing every year. In 2021, consumer gas rates did not rise in Tbilisi, and the corporate tariff increased by 28 percent. If the electricity tariff for the population has risen in price by 18-24 percent, for business it increased by 55-70 percent.
Water tariff for people increased by 16 percent, for corporate consumers - by 48 percent.
The decisions of the National Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, which is mandated to revise utility tariffs, are populist and fully supported by the government.
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