Director Lorkowski discusses way forward in energy and climate reforms with key stakeholders in Georgia

Georgia's ongoing work on the National Energy and Climate Plan took centre stage in a meeting between Director Lorkowski and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili. "We fully support Georgia in its strife for decarbonisation and greater resilience of the energy sector. Today, this is more important than ever. A robust and ambitious strategy will also help create the investor confidence needed for the energy transition. The Secretariat's support will be very hands-on," said Director Lorkowski.

The meeting was preceded by an exchange with Deputy Minister for Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Nino Tandilashvili, where the prospects of a carbon tax and intensified dialogue with the public concerned on energy infrastructure projects were discussed.

At a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, the energy regulator GNERC and the transmission system operators for electricity (GSE) and gas (GGTC), the importance of organized markets and unbundling of transmission system operators for the Government's strategic vision were underlined. "A clear separation of responsibilities and control, efficient balancing mechanisms and transparent price setting mechanisms are the foundation of successful energy reforms," recalled Deputy Director Dirk Buschle. "We appreciate the Government's commitment to resolve all open issues preventing the unbundling of GSE and GGTC still in the first half of this year, and count on the establishment of organized electricity and gas markets by 1 September 2022," Director Lorkowski concluded.