Exporting clean electricity is feasible
Based on the “Ten-Year Network Development Plan” of Georgia developed for 2018-2029, it is projected that by 2029 electricity production will exceed 30 TWh and consumption will reach 22 TWh, allowing 8 TWh to be exported to neighbouring countries. Georgia’s high renewable energy potential, particularly in hydropower, allows such a target to be met with clean energy, while reducing GHG emissions. Furthermore, adoption of energy efficiency measures reduces the electricity needs in Georgia, requiring less electricity production capacity to be built to fulfil such targets. The comparatively low LCOE of renewable electricity creates a lucrative economic opportunity when the surplus electricity is sold to countries with higher generation costs (i.e., Turkey).
Nonetheless, the integration of renewable electricity in a power system connected with other countries yields a positive contribution towards climate change mitigation. This allows the utilisation of renewable electricity in countries lacking renewables resources, reducing the need for fossil fuel-generated electricity.
*this recommendation is applicable for all ambitious scenarios