The Georgian government will set water tariffs for non-irrigation purposes instead of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC). The change is envisaged under amendments to the Law on Water Users' Organizations, prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and already registered in Parliament.
Georgian Amelioration has been regulated by GNERC since 2023. The existing framework covers both irrigation water users and non-irrigation consumers, including aquaculture businesses, hydropower plants and enterprises using water for technical purposes. The proposed amendments aim to separate these two categories and introduce different regulatory frameworks based on their specific needs.
Under the proposed changes, GNERC will retain authority over water supply services and tariff regulation for irrigation users, while water supply for non-irrigation purposes will be removed from the commission's regulatory framework. Tariffs for these users will instead be determined by the government.
According to the explanatory note, non-irrigation water users include hydropower plants, fishponds and industrial enterprises. Georgian Amelioration currently generates approximately GEL 4 million in annual revenue from these customers, with future revenue depending on the tariffs established by the government.
