Georgia's electricity surplus should not be viewed as a problem unique to the solar sector, but as a broader challenge for the country's energy system, according to Tornike Darjania, Chairman of the Solar Energy Association and founder of Helios Energy.
Speaking to BMG, Darjania said proposals to disconnect solar power plants first during periods of excess generation should be carefully reviewed. He noted that energy surpluses also occur at night - when solar plants are not generating electricity - forcing hydropower and wind facilities to reduce output as well.
Darjania warned that giving priority to curtailing one technology would undermine investor confidence. "If investors had known their solar plants would be the first to be disconnected, many would not have invested or would have assessed the risks differently," he said, arguing that discriminatory restrictions would damage Georgia's investment climate.
He also emphasized that solar power is currently the country's lowest-cost source of electricity, with tariffs ranging from 4.7 to 5.6 U.S. cents per kWh. Instead of prioritizing curtailments, Darjania said Georgia should focus on expanding energy storage, improving export opportunities, making better use of reservoir hydropower, and increasing domestic electricity consumption, including through greater adoption of electric vehicles and reduced reliance on natural gas.
