MINISTRY OF ECONOMY
AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OF GEORGIA

Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, participated in the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council held in the capital of Azerbaijan. The event was opened with a speech by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Dan Jørgensen, the European Commissioner for Energy, also took part in the event.

While addressing the Ministerial, the Minister spoke about the importance of cooperation between countries for a secure and sustainable energy future.

“The Southern Gas Corridor is a clear example of what we can achieve through joint efforts. This corridor has significantly strengthened energy security and diversification. Georgia is proud to participate in this process in its role as a reliable transit country. Our country has proven to be an active supporter and indispensable participant in the Southern Gas Corridor, and is also committed to strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between all parties involved” – Mariam Kvrivishvili stated.

As the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development noted, Georgia, being located at the crossroads of the West and the East, is at the epicenter of the intertwined interests of consumer and supplier countries. According to the Minister’s assessment, this project once again emphasizes Georgia’s role as a reliable partner. Mariam Kvrivishvili also placed special emphasis on the country’s role in the process of energy diversification.

“It is extremely important for our country to fulfill the function of a bridge not only in economic, political, social and cultural contexts, but also in the field of energy. The natural gas transported through our country is of decisive importance for the diversification of international, and especially EU energy markets, and for improving security of supply. Georgia has already demonstrated unwavering support for regional transit initiatives, and we welcome any cooperation proposals that will facilitate the creation of a healthy, sustainable environment in the energy sector and meet the needs of citizens within the region and beyond” – the Minister said.

Mariam Kvrivishvili introduced the participants of the Ministerial to the development opportunities of Georgia’s energy sector and the ongoing and planned projects for this purpose. According to the Minister, as a result of the work carried out by the Government of Georgia, installed generation capacity will increase 2,5 times, reaching approximately 11500 MW. Additionally, the potential for electricity export and transit will increase significantly, while imports will be reduced to zero. As Mariam Kvrivishvili noted, this transformation is possible through new generation facilities as well as large-scale investments in transmission infrastructure, including new cross-border connections. The Minister highlighted the Black Sea Submarine Cable flagship project, which will enable the export of clean electricity to Europe, as well as the Green Energy Corridor involving Georgia, Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary, which includes a large-scale electricity interconnector and a green hydrogen component.

As Mariam Kvrivishvili noted, Georgia aims for its electricity sector to become completely self-sufficient by 2036. According to her information, over the next decade, Georgia plans to add more than 6700 MW of renewable capacity, which will play a decisive role not only in meeting demand but also in ensuring system stability and the integration of variable renewable energy.

Members of the Georgian delegation, Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development Genadi Arveladze and Tamar Ioseliani, as well as the Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze, also participated in the Ministerial and the meetings held within its framework.