Energy expert Archil Mamatelashvili warns that Georgia’s growing reliance on Russian gas poses both political and economic risks. Preliminary data show that in 2025, Russian gas imports to Georgia exceeded 1 billion cubic meters, accounting for about one-third of national consumption, up from 788 million cubic meters in 2024.
Mamatelashvili notes that Russia has historically used energy as a political tool, targeting countries including Europe and Ukraine, making it an unreliable partner for Georgia. He also highlights the financial impact: Russian gas costs $185–$215 per cubic meter, significantly higher than Azerbaijan’s $110 average, which raises electricity prices since 18% of Georgia’s power comes from gas-fired plants.
The expert attributes part of the increased Russian imports to domestic infrastructure limitations. The capacity of the Azerbaijani “Saguramo pipeline” is insufficient to meet rising daily demand, especially in winter, while Azerbaijan increasingly exports gas to Europe, leaving less available for Georgia.
As a solution, Mamatelashvili recommends building a strategic gas storage facility with 1–1.2 billion cubic meters capacity, estimated to cost $800–900 million. This would help balance supply during peak periods and reduce dependence on expensive, unreliable Russian gas, strengthening Georgia’s energy security.
