Georgian opposition politician blames ruling party for energy disputes after EU sanctions on Inter RAO

Georgian opposition politician Roman Gotsiridze, who earlier chaired the country’s national bank, on Tuesday said European Union sanctions against Russian energy company Inter RAO highlighted what he described as the Georgian government's failed energy policy, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of causing costly international legal disputes.

Speaking to Front News, Gotsiridze said the sanctions underscored the consequences of the government's "incompetent and corrupt" approach to the energy sector.

He said Georgian taxpayers were required to pay $139 million to Inter RAO under international arbitration rulings and that the payments had already begun, with the process due to be completed by July 2028.

Gotsiridze also referred to the Namakhvani hydropower project, saying a final court ruling required the Georgian state to pay more than $400 million, with only the payment schedule yet to be determined.

He argued that the compensation payments, cancelled investment obligations, failed energy projects and higher electricity tariffs were the result of the government's energy policy.

Gotsiridze further noted that all decisions in the energy sector that had allegedly caused multimillion-dollar losses to the state should be investigated in the future and that those responsible should be held accountable.