Despite significant achievements in energy development in Georgia, the issue of energy independence is still relevant. The electricity produced in the country cannot meet the growing demands. In addition, Georgia has energy potential, which is not yet fully harnessed, in particular, in terms of hydropower resources. Based on existing studies, only 20–22 % of the hydropower potential is currently harnessed in the country. For a country like Georgia, it is promising to develop hydro resources of small river to generate electricity and partially meet local needs.
The paper dwells on the analysis of electricity balance of Georgia in the years of 2005-2017 in accordance with the parameters such as electricity generation-consumption and exports-imports. Significant attention was paid to the structural development of electricity generation and consumption. The paper also addresses the issues of exports imports with neighboring countries. Electricity exports and imports in Georgia is characterized by changing dynamics. Over the past 17 years, imports have grown by 39,3%. It has been highlighted that the electricity balance in the years of 2016-2017 differs substantially from the electricity balance of previous years that is due to the operation of wind power plant, which just in 2017 generated 87,8 million kWh, representing 1% of generated electricity. The paper highlights that the level of electric intensity of production in Georgia is still high, the reduction of which is considerable room for improvement in the electricity balance; there is need for development of renewable energy resources (hydro, solar, wind), placing greater reliance on advanced technologies in the field of electricity consumption and so on.
It is predicted that by mid of 21 st century as a result of the prodigal consumption of natural gas, oil and other energy resources, hydrocarbon energy resources will be fully exhausted. At the same time excessive and irrational consumption of energy creates severe environmental problems. This stipulates new approach to the development of fuel and energy complex. On the basis of experts' analysis on energy development on a global scale, moving from traditional non-renewable organic to renewable and inexhaustible resources consumption is essential. As a result, great majority of the countries develop their own energy policy and strategy on the basis of domestic energy resources separately or in close cooperation with the other countries; mainly targeting safe, reliable and effective satisfaction of the increasing energy demand. Taking into account the geopolitical state of Georgia, electricity and fuel supplies on the basis of domestic energy resources together with import, and its integration to regional or world energy markets is one of key factors of independent, safe and rapid socialeconomic development of the country. The energy complex of Georgia includes all kinds of energy and raw materials consumption; it consists of prospecting, enriching, refining, storing, transporting and utilizing systems together with environment protection network.
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