Burjanadze Meets Energy Officials over Increased Electricity Rate
Energy Minister Nika Gilauri and Chairman of the Georgian National Energy Regulatory Commission Giorgi Tavadze met with Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze on May 17 to brief her about a recent decision to increase the electricity rate and impose a three-tiered tariff.
Three different rates have been introduced, as consumers were divided into three categories: those who consume less than 100 kilowatts of electricity per month; from 100 to 300; and more than 300.
Giorgi Tavadze, the Chairman of Georgian National Energy Regulatory Commission, said after the talks with the Parliamentary Chairperson that officials may slightly change its decision and increase the margin of the first step tariff above 100 kilowatts per month. “But the tariff itself will not change,” Tavadze told reporters.
The Parliamentary Chairperson did not comment about the talks, which were held behind closed-doors.
Authorities say that the increase of the electricity tariff became necessary as a result of Russia’s decision to increase the gas price for Georgia. The share of gas-generated electricity in Georgia is expected to increase up to 27%, while the remaining energy will be generated by hydro power plants.
Opponents say that the increase of gas price should not have triggered significant increase of electricity costs.
Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said on May 15 that the executive authorities should provide a well-founded arguments for this decision to increase the electricity tariff.
