Parliament approves at first reading bill amending Law on Energy and Water Supply

The Georgian Parliament has approved at first reading a bill amending the Law on Energy and Water Supply, with 79 lawmakers voting in favor and eight against.

According to the Parliament’s press service, the bill was presented by Shota Berekashvili, Chair of the Economic Policy Committee.

Under the current regulations, the regulatory commission is authorized to distribute the cost of water supply services among different categories of consumers in varying proportions when setting water tariffs until January 1, 2027. The bill would extend this deadline to January 1, 2036.

Berekashvili said the amendments would authorize the regulatory commission, during the transitional period, to set differentiated tariffs based on household consumption volumes. This provision would apply to water supply tariffs until January 1, 2036, and natural gas tariffs until January 1, 2038.

“The purpose of these amendments is, on the one hand, to protect citizens’ social interests and, on the other, to establish a legal mechanism that will promote the efficient use of energy resources,” Berekashvili said.

The bill is being considered under an expedited procedure and was initiated by members of the parliamentary majority.