"The increase of electricity tariff has an objective justification and explanation," - the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia said after the meeting of the Interagency Council of the Government.
Gakharia made the statement in parallel with the GNERC session, where the discussion was held about the increase of consumer and commercial tariffs for Telasi and Energo-Pro Georgia customers.
"The meeting of the Electricity and Water Supply Regulatory Commission is underway, as a result of which both the government and the expert community all expect that the tariff will be increased. It has its objective justification and explanation. In 2017, a change in methodology occurred as a result of which the tariff was not revised. Everyone understands that tariff increases are expected for electricity, as well as for water, in Tbilisi, Rustavi, and Mtskheta," - said Giorgi Gakharia.
According to the Prime Minister, the increase in electricity tariffs is a new challenge and the government must respond accordingly.
"We do not know how much the tariff will increase, but we discussed it with the team and the parliament and it was decided that citizens will not feel the change of electricity tariff in Georgia by 2021. This means that the government will fully subsidize the change for consumption up to 300 kilowatt hours. There are a total of 1 700 000 subscribers in Georgia. 600 million of them will consume less than 300 kilowatts, which means that for 95% of the citizens' families the tax will be fully subsidized, "- said Giorgi Gakharia.
In addition, according to the Prime Minister, in the case of socially vulnerable, the increased water tariff will be subsidized.
