MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Natia Turnava, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, attended the presentation of the USAID Securing Georgia’s Energy Future Program held in Gori. Representatives of the US Embassy and the Government of Georgia attended the presentation.

As the Minister noted in her speech, launching of a 5-year Securing Georgia’s Energy Future Program with the help of the US Government is very important for the country.

“The US government is traditionally supporting us with the energy reform and the development of Georgian energy sector. The main goal of our reforms and our energy policy is to make Georgia’s energy sector fully independent, strong, self-reliant, and less dependent on imports, and our American friends are supporting us in this effert,” – Natia Turnava said.

The USAID Securing Georgia’s Energy Future Program is a 5-year project with a budget of 15,7 million USD. Its main goal is to improve Georgia’s energy security through the implementation of reforms and sustainable development of the energy sector, which will help the country to fulfil its obligations under the Association Agreement with the European Union.

According to the Minister of Economy, it is necessary for Georgia to develop its own, renewable energy sources - these are hydropower plants, wind and solar stations and other new renewable energy technologies that are entering the country.

“Obviously, we need to have active trade with neighbouring countries, we are also going to lay a power cable over the Black Sea bottom to connect to the European energy market, but, first of all, we need to have our own sources and be very strong in this regard. Therefore, the energy security that we will work on with our American partners includes various components, including the development of new stations based on local energy sources, cybersecurity, which is very important for our networks and also, of course, important to each family with quality, well. We will be able to supply electricity without any interruptions while our networks will be developed for that,” – Natia Turnava noted.

The USAID Securing Georgia’s Energy Future Program assists Georgia in diversifying its energy sources and developing a stable, competitive, transparent, and investor-friendly market. Under the program, the USAID is working with the Georgian government and the private sector to implement reforms and the sustainable development of the energy sector, which will assist the country in meeting its commitments under the Association Agreement with the European Union.