The planned large-scale electricity metering project in Mestia has drawn criticism from local hospitality operators, who warn that the reform could create serious challenges for the highland region.
Tatia Tetarashvili, founder of the guesthouse “Villa Chelo,” told BM.GE that applying standard electricity tariffs without considering Svaneti’s specific conditions could significantly worsen living and business conditions, especially during the winter season when no natural gas supply is available.
She argued that full reliance on electricity makes the region particularly vulnerable. According to Tetarashvili, a standard tariff system combined with direct metering “would make winter life and tourism activity in Mestia practically impossible” without some form of preferential pricing or consumption-based relief mechanisms.
The hotel operator suggested that a more flexible model is needed, including possible discounted tariffs for low consumption, noting that the absence of natural gas forces households and businesses to depend entirely on electricity. She added that the situation could become “smooth” only if natural gas were introduced to the region.
The government has announced that large-scale metering in Mestia will begin as part of efforts to combat illegal cryptocurrency mining, according to Vice Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze.
