Giorgi Abramishvili, Chairman of the Board of the Georgian Renewable Energy Development Association and Managing Partner of Energy Solutions, says cooperation between the energy sector and state institutions has recently improved significantly, describing it as a rare example of effective public-private engagement.
Speaking on TV program Analytics, Abramishvili highlighted recent steps taken by the Georgian State Electrosystem and the Ministry of Economy, while noting that past policy mistakes have contributed to a decline in foreign direct investment in the sector.
He said that at a recent advisory council meeting, the State Electrosystem presented its annual report to the private sector, after which business representatives awarded the agency a certificate of appreciation.
“This is probably the first precedent where cooperation between the private and public sectors has reached a level where the private sector formally thanks a public institution for its work,” Abramishvili said.
He also emphasized the role of Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, saying she is actively involved in ongoing reforms aimed at improving structure and order in the sector.
Abramishvili stressed that transparency is critical in energy investments due to the long-term nature of projects, from planning and construction to years-long payback periods. Without transparency, he said, attracting investment is extremely difficult.
He argued that reduced transparency and past policy decisions have contributed to a decline in the energy sector’s share of foreign direct investment, referencing issues such as the 2018–2021 moratorium and market reforms that, in his view, slowed development.
He added that Georgia’s growing electricity demand is increasing reliance on imports, despite significant untapped renewable potential, particularly in hydropower.
