Georgian PM: Georgia must prioritise hydropower for energy stability, self-sufficiency
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Imedi TV
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said that the state’s primary interest was ensuring long-term stability in the energy sector, which required giving clear priority to hydropower development.
Speaking on Imedi TV show Open Air - Debates, Kobakhidze outlined his government’s strategy for expanding electricity generation, emphasising the importance of balancing renewable energy sources while giving particular weight to hydropower.
“The greatest stability for the system is ensured by hydropower plants; solar energy is the least stable, while wind energy is in between. Therefore, maintaining balance and giving priority to hydropower resources is important”, Kobakhidze said.
The prime minister explained that the country’s energy plan was based on developing three main directions - hydropower, wind, and solar - but with a clear emphasis on hydropower due to its superior stability.
“This involves developing electricity generation in three directions and expanding the system - hydropower, wind, and solar energy. According to our approach, in roughly equal proportions, with slightly more emphasis on hydropower, about 2,800 MW of installed hydropower capacity should be created over the next 10 years, around 2,000 MW from wind energy, and about 2,000 MW from solar energy”, he stressed.
He further noted that business often prefers quicker and cheaper solar projects, yet the state must focus on long-term system reliability and optimal use of Georgia’s natural potential.
“There are also specific priorities from the business sector, which is often more focused on solar energy generation, as such projects are implemented quickly and are relatively cheaper. However, the state’s interest is stability. Therefore, we need to further encourage the use of water resources, where our country has significant potential. This reflects our overall approach - the optimal use of our resources so that Georgia becomes self-sufficient in terms of electricity”, Kobakhidze concluded.
All News
05 April 2026, 15:42
Justice
Georgian Interior Ministry: Afgan Sadigov deported to Azerbaijan, banned from entering Georgia for three years
The Georgian interior ministry on Sunday announced that Azerbaijani citizen Afgan Sadigov has been deported from Georgia and barred from entering the country for three years following a court ruling.
05 April 2026, 11:24
Economy
Georgian PM backs large hydropower projects as key to energy stability
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said Georgia must move forward with large hydropower projects, arguing that stability in the energy sector could not be achieved without them.
04 April 2026, 19:21
Justice
Georgian State Security Service detains foreign citizen over use of forged documents
Georgian State Security Service on Saturday detained a foreign citizen on charges of using a forged official document.
03 April 2026, 20:34
Foreign policy
Georgian Parliament Speaker, Moldovan parliamentary delegation discuss bilateral cooperation, people-to-people contacts
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday met with a parliamentary delegation from Moldova, including the head of the Georgia Friendship Group, Bogdat Tîrdea to discuss bilateral cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and legislative dialogue.
03 April 2026, 17:24
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen says those making anti-state statements do not represent Georgia or its people
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday criticised domestic non-governmental organisations, following reports that several representatives had approached the Dutch Parliament to request sanctions against Georgian officials.
03 April 2026, 17:05
Politics
Georgian President: Georgia seeks reset in ties with US, sees mutual interest
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Friday said that “Georgia seeks to reset its relations with the United States”, noting that the US shared the same interest.
03 April 2026, 15:56
Politics
Georgian President emphasises shared values in Slovakia visit
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Friday summed up his official visit to Slovakia, expressing his gratitude to the Slovak authorities for their invitation and warm hospitality.
03 April 2026, 15:48
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker criticises EU over visa decision, calls it “tool of division”
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday criticised the European Union and Switzerland following Switzerland’s decision to suspend diplomatic passports for Georgian officials, describing the move as a symptom of a broader civilisational crisis within EU bureaucracies.
03 April 2026, 15:30
Politics
Georgia refuses to become middle ground for foreign powers to settle scores, says Georgia Parliament Speaker
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said Georgia is not a place where countries should settle their disputes, in response to a journalist’s question about the ministry of foreign affairs’ stance on a statement by the Iranian ambassador.
03 April 2026, 14:26
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker expects “next steps” in US-Georgia relations following Rubio-Kobakhidze talks
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Friday that following the recent conversation between US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze, the next steps aimed at “resetting” bilateral relations were expected in April.
03 April 2026, 14:15
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker emphasises Georgia’s commitment to strengthening US partnership
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday addressed the current state of bilateral relations with the United States, expressing optimism for a “reset” under the new US administration.
03 April 2026, 13:20
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker warns against foreign interference in Georgian Orthodox Church affairs
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday stressed the importance of keeping external actors out of the Georgian Orthodox Church’s internal decisions, including those pending before the Holy Synod.
03 April 2026, 12:23
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official slams opposition’s Independence Day rally as “tragicomic”
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday criticised the opposition's plans to hold a rally on Georgia’s Independence Day, labeling the move “tragicomic”.
03 April 2026, 12:11
Politics
Global instability raises stakes for Georgia, warns Georgia’s ruling party official
Georgia is confronting the same fundamental challenges as the rest of the world - maintaining peace, ensuring economic stability, and pursuing development amid an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, said on Thursday Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body.
03 April 2026, 12:02
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official accuses opposition of seeking to destabilise country
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday accused the domestic opposition of deliberately attempting to destabilise the country, deepen internal divisions, and undermine both peace-focused policy and the national economy.
02 April 2026, 20:30
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: Georgian Gov’t pursues peace-focused policy amid global challenges
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and chair of the Parliament’s committee on procedural issues and rules, on Thursday said that in response to the ongoing global challenges, the Georgian government was pursuing a policy strictly focused on peace.
02 April 2026, 19:38
Politics
Georgian Parliament official accuses NGO representatives of deliberately undermining country
Irakli Kadagishvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s regional policy and self-government committee, on Thursday addressed recent statements made by domestic NGO members before the Dutch Parliament, accusing them of deliberately attempting to undermine the country.
02 April 2026, 15:51
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen reiterates Georgian Government’s readiness to reset relations with United States
Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday reiterated Georgian Government's readiness to reset relations with the United States, expressing optimism that the bilateral partnership will move past recent tensions.
02 April 2026, 15:34
Foreign policy
Georgian President highlights commitment to EU integration, criticises Brussels bureaucracy
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Thursday addressed the current state of relations between Georgia and the European Union, emphasising that Tbilisi has not walked away from the negotiating table.