Georgia aims to introduce seasonal electricity exchange with Turkey to reduce imports from Russia
TBILISI. May 26 (Interfax) - The Georgian Economy Ministry has approved a mechanism for seasonal electricity exchange with Turkey aimed at balancing bilateral flows of energy exports and imports, which will reduce Russia's share in the country's energy supplies, the bm.ge publication reported, citing an order from Economy and Sustainable Development Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili.
According to the order, Georgia is ready to export electricity to Turkey without payment during the seasonal peak period of hydropower plant capacity (from May to July), provided that the supplied energy is returned to the country in the same amount during the autumn deficit period (from September to November). It is noted that a similar mechanism operated between the countries in 2018.
Turkey accounted for 80% of Georgia's electricity exports last year. At the same time, more than 60% of the electricity imported into Georgia was supplied from Russia, while Turkey's share was only 2.5%.
According to the document, the amounts designated for export during the spring-summer period will be distributed among electricity market operators in such a way that they are processed while bypassing existing market balancing procedures. In addition, the market operator will be obligated to submit the relevant agreement and hourly forecast schedules to the dispatch system no later than one day before the start of exports.
According to the Georgian Economy Ministry, electricity production in the country increased 4.6% year-on-year in January-April 2026 to 4.2 billion kWh, with consumption growing 6.6% to 5.1 billion kWh. Electricity imports amounted to 0.9 billion kWh in 4M.
Electricity production amounted to 13.8 billion kWh in 2025, including hydroelectric power generation of 11 billion kWh. Consumption last year amounted to 14.9 billion kWh. Net electricity imports stood at 1.1 billion kWh, with gross imports of 1.6 billion kWh and exports of 0.5 billion kWh.
In the structure of electricity imports in 2025, Russia accounted for 0.97 billion kWh, Azerbaijan for 0.42 billion kWh, Armenia for 128 million kWh and Turkey for 40 million kWh.
Of the total amount of electricity exports from Georgia in 2025, Turkey accounted for 401 million kWh, Azerbaijan for 50.2 million kWh, Armenia for 52 million kWh and Russia for 7.2 million kWh.
Given the structure of Georgia's generating capacity, which is dominated by hydroelectric power plants, the country can export electricity from March to September. However, during the seasonal decline in hydro generation from October to March, the country experiences an electricity deficit, which is covered by imports.
