Georgia’s National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC) approved new electricity tariffs at its March 30 session, increasing household rates by 5 tetri in both Tbilisi and the regions, which translates into a roughly 17% to 34% rise depending on consumption levels. Commercial rates were also raised by 4–6 tetri.
While GNERC said the increase was “mainly” driven by Georgia’s reliance on electricity imports and rising purchase prices, it added that the planned investments of “more than GEL 1.5 billion” are expected to ensure better electricity supply and fewer outages.
Critics warn that the new rates will particularly affect low-income households and could simultaneously drive up costs for goods and services, amid the Georgian Dream government’s stated efforts to address high prices for groceries, medications, and gas, including through government and parliamentary commissions.
GNERC had signaled a possible tariff increase in December, but decided at the time to keep electricity prices unchanged for three months and natural gas prices unchanged for one year, following consultations with the government.
Below are the old and new electricity prices by consumption level for households and small enterprises, along with the corresponding percentage increases. The new rates will take effect in April.
Household Tariffs – Tbilisi
- 0-101 kWh: from 15.041 to 20.041 tetri per kWh (33.2% increase)
- 101-301 kWh: from 19.053 to 24.053 tetri per kWh (26.2% increase)
- 301+ kWh: from 23.537 to 28.537 tetri per kWh (21.2% increase)
- 10-6-3.3 kV: from 26.647 to 31.647 tetri per kWh (18.7% increase)
- 380-220 V (small enterprises): from 29.932 to 35.261 tetri per kWh (17.8%)
Household Tariffs – Regions
- 0-101 kWh: from 14.731 to 19.731 tetri per kWh (33,9% increase)
- 101-301 kWh: from 18.708 to 23.707 tetri per kWh (26.7% increase)
- 301+ kWh: from 23.227 to 28.227 tetri per kWh (21.5% increase)
- 10-6-3.3 kV: from 25.267 to 30.322 tetri per kWh (20% increase)
- 10-6-3.3 kV: from 27.880 to 32.880 tetri per kWh (18% increase)
- 380-220 V (small enterprises): from 28.961 to 35.713 tetri per kWh (23.3% increase)
Commercial Tariffs – Tbilisi
- 110-35 kV: from 24.371 to 27.762 tetri per kWh (13.9% increase)
- 10-6-3.3 kV: from 26.647 to 31.976 tetri per kWh (20% increase)
- 380–220 V: from 29.932 to 35.261 tetri per kWh ( 17,8% increase)
Blaming the “treacherous policy” of the Georgian Dream government, Roman Gotsiridze, an economist and former president of the National Bank of Georgia, said, “This is a particularly heavy blow for low-income citizens who consume up to 100 kilowatt-hours of energy per month, and their tariff increase reaches nearly 35 percent.”
Tazo Datunashvili of the opposition Lelo–Strong Georgia party warned of broader inflationary effects, saying, “When prices rise for electricity and fuel, the cost of everything else, whether food, services, or everyday consumption goods, will significantly increase.”
Georgia’s annual inflation rate stood at 4.6% in February.
Also Read:
