PM Kobakhidze accuses ‘some individuals’ of sabotaging hydropower projects for personal gain

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused “certain individuals” of deliberately obstructing “even small-scale hydropower projects” to allegedly secure stakes for themselves, warning that the government would take a “firm stance” to prevent such interference.

Speaking at Energy Professionals’ Day on Thursday, Kobakhidze claimed “there were cases of sabotage where specific people, driven by their own interests, artificially hindered the construction of even small hydropower plants and then tried to insert themselves into the projects. We will not allow anyone to profit at the expense of state or private sector interests in implementing these critical projects.”

He also emphasised that new practices and reforms would be introduced to ensure transparency and efficiency in the energy sector, with ongoing consultations with energy specialists and private companies guiding future policy.

PM Kobakhidze also highlighted Georgia’s broader energy achievements, including a tenfold increase in gasification since 2012, reaching 860 settlements and benefiting hundreds of thousands of citizens.