Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee, Maia Bitadze, Chair of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, and Levan Makhashvili, Chair of the EU Integration Committee met with the Energy Community Secretariat Director, Artur Lorkowski.

 

The meeting addressed the recent changes in the country.

 

Among these, it is noteworthy to mention the fulfillment of the obligation to unbundle the electricity and natural gas transmission system operator in accordance with the Energy Community legislation.
Additionally, amendments to the Law on Energy and Water Supply address the transition from a “net-metering” scheme to a “net-billing” scheme for micro-power plants.

 

“Energy is a strategic sector for the country, and our goal is to further strengthen the competitiveness of energy markets, enhance transparency and efficiency, improve the investment environment, and reinforce international connections. It is also a priority for the country to utilize local renewable energy resources. Our objective is that by 2030, the share of energy generated from renewable sources in total final energy consumption reaches 27.4%”, - stated Shota Berekashvili.

 

During the meeting, Maia Bitadze discussed the process of introducing a Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system, which prepares the country for trading greenhouse gas emissions with the European Union. The amendments to the Law on Environmental Protection, currently under consideration by the Parliament, serve this purpose precisely.

 

Maia Bitadze also highlighted the draft Law On Climate Change, which the committee is preparing and which is intended to establish a unified legislative framework in the field of climate change.

 

She further noted that the draft law on Environmental Protection, as well as the draft Law on Climate Change, are envisaged under the Association Agreement and serve to further increase trade with the European Union, promote decarbonization, and strengthen energy connections.

 

The meeting emphasized future plans, including the necessity of establishing an appropriate legislative framework to ensure the full and effective functioning of the renewable energy market.

 

Levan Makhashvili expressed commitment to continued cooperation between the Parliament and the Energy Community and voiced hope that the planned reforms would be beneficial both for the citizens of Georgia and for the European side.

 

Artur Lorkowski highlighted the significant progress achieved by the 11th Convocation Parliament in fulfilling the obligations undertaken under the founding treaty of the Energy Community and the Association Agreement.

 

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the issues scheduled for discussion on 9 December of this year in Vienna, Austria, within the framework of the Parliamentary Plenum of the Energy Community.

 

Maia Bitadze and Shota Berekashvili will participate in the meeting.