Georgia’s reliance on imported electricity will continue to grow each year unless the country accelerates the construction of new power-generation facilities, particularly large reservoir-type hydropower plants. This assessment comes from Maia Melikidze, Executive Director of the Georgian Renewable Energy Development Association (GREDA), who spoke to BM.GE about the increasing trend of electricity imports.
According to Melikidze, Georgia has been experiencing an annual electricity deficit, which became especially evident last year when, for the first time in its modern history, the country had to import electricity in July - traditionally a surplus period. She notes that import volumes in January 2026 have already significantly exceeded those of the previous year, and this trajectory is likely to continue unless new generation capacity is added swiftly.
Melikidze explained that Georgia now imports electricity not only from Russia but also from Turkey, once a country to which Georgia exported power. Turkey’s recent investments in energy diversification, including new hydropower plants and its first nuclear power plant, have altered regional dynamics. Meanwhile, Georgia’s growing electricity consumption—driven by rising living standards, increased industrial activity, and more electric vehicles—continues to outpace domestic generation capacity.
“As a result, last January Georgia paid around USD 9 million for imported electricity. This year, that number rose to USD 22.5 million,” Melikidze said, adding that the figure is likely to grow further. In January 2026 alone, electricity imports increased by nearly 72%, reaching 576 GWh, while the cost of imported electricity rose by 157%.
