ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN GEORGIA
The EU places special importance on promotion of energy efficiency because it brings concrete benefits to the population. Introduction of energy efficiency measures in buildings (which consume more than 30% of total energy in Georgia) will help decrease energy bills of households and will provide higher standards of living through positive effects on health, environment, education and working conditions.
The European Union has been working on increasing energy efficiency in Georgia for several years: from support to legislative reforms to access to finance for energy efficient renovation and support to innovative new practices.
In 2020, the Government of Georgia adopted the “Law on Energy Efficiency” and the “Law on Energy Performance of Buildings”, which will be complemented by further regulations over the next few years. This law, which is based on European experience, introduces energy audits and energy performance certificates, which will provide Georgian citizens with the necessary information to compare energy consumption. It will allow families to decide how to make savings with concrete measures to benefit from higher energy efficiency in their homes.
Energy efficiency has the potential to contribute to lowering the costs on a household and economy-wide level, boost economic growth, sustainable growth and job creation. Apart from that, energy efficiency is one of the ways to reduce demand for energy imports and to strengthen the country’s energy independence.
EU SUPPORT TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN GEORGIA
Besides supporting the legislative reform process, the European Union has made concrete efforts to increase the sustainable production of energy in the country and to help businesses and citizens benefit from higher energy efficiency.
Concrete activities on energy efficiency include:
– Approximation of Georgian legislation to EU standards to ensure that Georgian citizens have access to the necessary legal and institutional structure for a more energy efficient society;
– Based on the improved legal situation, a programme for the energy efficient rehabilitation of public buildings, including schools;
– Development of innovative projects in municipalities, for example the use of vineyard waste for the heating of 2 kindergartens in Kakheti;
– Green lending in collaboration with Georgian commercial Banks to help SMEs and households implement energy efficiency measures, like purchasing a better, more efficient household;
– Introduction of energy efficient busses in Batumi and Tbilisi, helping to improve the transport sector.
All these projects contribute to saving energy, making Georgia more energy-independent and resilient, and reducing costs for citizens, taxpayers and companies.
