The United Nations has now voted to overwhelmingly condemn Russia over the Ukraine war. A less publicized story is Russia’s unproved war on Ukraine is not the only sovereign nation that Russia is trying to conquer.
The dissolution of the USSR in 1991, led to fifteen former Soviet states gaining independence and becoming sovereign nations. The Republic of Georgia, like Ukraine was a former member of the USSR that is now facing its own battle against Russian aggression.
In 1922, the Democratic Republic of Georgia was invaded, subjugated, and incorporated into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In 1991, the Republic of Georgia gained its independence as a sovereign nation, following the dissolution of the USSR.
In 2021, Georgia’s economy was ranked 120 in the world in gross domestic product (GDP). The country’s economy is dependent on the export of copper ore, ferroalloys, cars, wine, and hard liquor.
Environmental Policies
In 2016, Georgia signed the “Paris Climate Agreement”, committing to a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry, below business as usual levels by 2030.
Power Generation Capabilities
In 2020, 100% of the people in Georgia had access to electricity. In 2022, Georgia’s electric cooperatives used renewable energy (76.2%) and natural gas (23.8%) to generate electricity across the nation. Hydropower is the dominant type of renewable energy used to generate electricity in Georgia.
Recent renewable energy projects in Georgia include:
- 300 MW Hydropower Projects Tender – In February 2023, Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development launched a tender for hydropower projects.
- 185 MW Hydropower Project – Adjaristsqali Georgia, a joint venture with Clean Energy Invest of Norway, Tata Power of India and IFC Infraventures is continuing work on the Adjaristsqali Hydropower project in the southwest region of the Republic of Georgia.
- 70 MW Solar Projects Tender – In February 2023, Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development launched a tender for photovoltaic projects.
Conclusions
Georgia imports fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) for power generation, heating, and transportation. In 2021, Georgia imported U.S. $856 Million for refined petroleum and U.S. $427 Million for natural gas.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand to place economic sanctions on Russian imports and exports. As a result, the crude oil and natural gas prices increased by over 50% from May 2021 to May 2022.
In 2021, Georgia imported 23 percent of the nation’s natural gas from Russia. Georgia has significant undeveloped renewable energy resources, including hydropower, offshore wind, biomass, onshore wind, and solar.
Europe now knows the threat of becoming dependent on Russian fossil fuels. Currently, Georgia is replacing expensive natural gas fueled power plants with low-cost reliable renewable energy projects. Georgia’s survival as a sovereign nation is now dependent on clean, reliable renewable energy.
Jack Kerfoot
Website – “Our Energy Conundrum”
Jack Kerfoot is a scientist, energy expert, and author of the book FUELING AMERICA, An Insider’s Journey. He has been interviewed on over 100 radio, podcast, and television stations from New York City to Los Angeles on numerous energy related topics.