Parliament approved the bill on changes to water and natural gas tariffs

Details of the bill

The Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Energy and Water Supply in the third reading. Sources disseminate different information regarding the procedure for adopting the bill: 1tv, formula, and interpressnews report that the bill was approved in the third reading, while publika, interpressnews, and mtavari-fb note that the law was adopted under an expedited procedure. According to rustavi2, the Parliament supported the project in the second reading. 1TV+5

According to the law, GNERC will be authorized to set different tariffs for household consumers based on the volume consumed until January 1, 2036, for water supply, and until January 1, 2038, for natural gas. According to the Chairman of the Economic Policy Committee, Shota Berekashvili, the purpose of the change is to protect the social interests of citizens and ensure the efficient use of energy resources. 1TV+3

Tariff policy

According to Shota Berekashvili's explanation, the tariff policy for natural gas will be similar to that of electricity, where the principle of "whoever consumes less pays less, and whoever consumes more pays more" will apply. According to mtavari-fb, higher consumption may cost more. At the same time, according to rustavi2, existing subsidy programs for socially vulnerable groups remain in force. According to netgazeti-fb, the regulator should discuss the new tariffs in December. Rustavi 2+2