BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.23
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The main task of the energy reform is to increase competition and protect consumer rights, said the Georgian Minister of Economy Natia Turnava, Trend reports via Georgian media.
“In order to maximize the energy potential of Georgia and strengthen energy security, the large-scale reform of the energy sector, which began in 2017, when Georgia joined the European Energy Union, will continue,” she said.
According to Turnava, in order to strengthen free market relations in this sector, energy transmission and distribution activities will be separated from energy production, trading, and supply activities, adding that the Georgian Energy Exchange will be fully operational in the near future, ensuring the principles of competition and open market.
“This process began last year and will continue. At the same time, the respective regulated stations will be gradually deregulated according to their capacity. Based on the legal framework adopted in 2020, the implementation of energy efficiency standards and standards will begin, taking into account existing international best practices,” said Turnava.
According to her, the main task of the energy reform is to increase competition and protect consumer rights, primarily in terms of safe uninterrupted supply.
“We constantly make sure that negative factors do not have a negative impact on the population and especially on its vulnerable groups. As part of the anti-crisis plan, the government is subsidizing utility bills, and in this regard, we plan to launch social protection mechanisms,” Turnava said.
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