The Committee heard the annual report for 2020 on the activities of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), which was introduced by the Chairman of the Commission, David Narmania.
The report examines the electricity, natural gas, and water supply sectors, as well as the regulatory frameworks' evolution and alignment with Consolidated Energy. He looked at the regulatory framework for dealing with concerns including consumer complaints and new customer access (capacity building). He discussed the Regulatory Commission's new laws and regulations in terms of production, distribution, transfer, and license. The wholesale and retail market regulations, as well as other detailed regulatory norms, were enacted independently by the Commission. The Commission has a new market monitoring function, according to the rapporteur.
The Regulatory Commission has been given authority to oversee the market in the electricity and natural gas sectors, after the increasing appearance of competition in the market, and the applicable rules have also been adopted. The report was taken into consideration by the Committee.
At the sitting, the Committee discussed in the second reading the Bill on Energy and Water Supply. According to the document, the administration of the electricity or natural gas platform will be defined as a new form of energy activity. In particular, the activity of selling electricity for the purpose of charging electric vehicles through charging stations is excluded from the scope of the law. The initiative specifies the relevant terms.
In the third reading, the Committee considered the Bill on Broadcasting stipulating that a license that has already been extended for one year under December 31, 2025, will be extended free of charge until December 31, 2026 through a simple administrative procedure. The draft also sets the deadline for the licensee to apply to the Commission for an extension of the license. In particular, the broadcaster must apply to the Commission 1 month before the expiration of the license. Committee members supported the consideration of both bills in the plenary session. The Committee also deliberated the ratification document on Loan Agreement between ADB and Georgia (ordinary transactions) (Electricity Transmission Sector Reform Program).
The First Deputy Minister of Finance, Giorgi Kakauridze, explained that the goal of the program is to improve the current condition of the power transmission lines. Also, strengthening the operational, institutional, and financial independence of JSCs. For this, Georgia will receive a 0% loan in the amount of 87 million 504 thousand EUROS, which is a budget support loan and will be used to finance the total budget expenditures. David Songhulashvili, Chairman of the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee, offered the election of Elguja Gotsiridze and Zaza Lominadze as members of the Thematic Inquiry Group on Impact Assessment of the State Support Program for Micro and Small Enterprises in Georgia – Enterprise Georgia. The proposal was approved by the MPs.
