Baku, Azerbaijan, September 14
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The EU4Energy program, aimed at improving the quality of energy data and statistics, initiates the development of a regulation on the protection of vulnerable consumers in Georgia, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.
An orientation meeting was held in Georgia to develop a regulation on the protection of vulnerable consumers in the natural gas and electricity sectors of Georgia.
The meeting, which was organized as part of the EU4Energy Management Project, was attended by experts from the Energy Community Secretariat, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the National Commission for Regulation of Energy and Water Supply of Georgia (GNERC), the Georgian Social Services Agency, the EU Delegation in Georgia and international financial institutions.
Experts will work to create an overview of the criteria that define energy poverty andvulnerable consumers in the EU, highlighting best national practices and appropriate solutions for vulnerable consumers. As a result, the project will help identify policy measures for the fair treatment of vulnerable clients and develop a mechanism that prevents cross-subsidization, is verifiable and provides funding on a non-discriminatory basis.
The regulation will protect and expand the capabilities of vulnerable consumers and help reduce energy poverty in Georgia, and help all citizens adequately cover their household needs for electricity and gas.
The EU4Energy project, which works with six Eastern Partnership countries and five Central Asian states, provides support to regional statistical agencies in improving energy statistics and data management, as well as in disseminating their use in evidence-based policymaking.