MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

”Our main objective is to elaborate and approve the Energy Efficiency Law and Action Plan in line with the EU Directive,” – the First Vice Prime Minister of Georgia Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Dimitry Kumsishvili stated during the meeting with the Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of EU, Katarina Mathernova.

The meeting was held at the Government Chancellery and representatives of such donor organizations as EU, KfW, EBRD, EIB, AFD, IFC, as well as the Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Giorgi Chikovani and Roma Mikautadze attended the event.

According to the First Vice Prime Minister, development of energy efficiency is one of the priority directions of the Georgian government's energy policy. It was noted that the enactment of the Energy Efficiency Act will contribute to the adoption of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The focus was on implementing energy efficiency measures in the construction sector, especially in public buildings. The meeting also emphasized the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar systems in households.

Dimitry Kumsishvili expressed his gratitude towards both EU and other donor organizations (EU, KfW, EBRD, EIB, AFD, IFC) for supporting the energy efficiency policy and pilot projects of Georgia.

The First Vice Prime Minister also talked about the importance of other draft laws that the Georgian side is going to pass in the nearest future. “Our goal is to pass the law on energy efficiency. The bill was prepared within the framework of EU4ENERGY, with the support of the Secretariat of Energy Community. We intend to discuss the project at the spring session of the parliament this year,” - Dimitry Kumsishvili declared. The Minister also drew attention to the bill on Household Appliances and Marking.

The Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations of EU, Katarina Mathernova noted that the European Commission and the Donors are ready to assist Georgia with grants and low-interest financial resources for implementation of energy efficient projects.

At the end of the meeting, the First Vice Prime Minister confirmed his expectations that the European Union will continue to support Georgia through sharing of knowledge and experience, as well as providing technical assistance and capabilities, which will enable Georgia to fulfill its obligations towards the energy efficiency plan.