The Armenian-Azerbaijani war in Karabakh has a direct impact on Georgia's energy security. That is how energy experts assess the impact of the conflict between the two neighboring countries on Georgia's energy security.
According to them, Georgia depends on Azerbaijan when it comes to natural gas. The reliance on imports of Azerbaijani electricity is growing.
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between the two countries has been going on for decades, but energy experts say that there has not been a single case in which this confrontation has had a severe impact on Georgia's energy security or energy supply.
Armenia is Georgia's export market in electricity, and at this stage, exports have been suspended. Specialists do not expect a threat in terms of gas and electricity supply.
"We have a vital need to buy electricity from January to mid-March. That is when Georgia has a shortage. Until then, we can meet the demand for electricity with our production. There is an alternative to replace Azerbaijani electricity imports with Russian electricity. As for gas, the dependence when it comes to gas is even higher on Azerbaijan. Complications are even less expected here, as gas from Azerbaijan enters Georgia via the South Caucasus Pipeline and supplies Europe as well. So we do not expect any complications," energy expert Gia Arabidze said.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is operating as usual, however, according to the Azerbaijani side, the Armenian Armed Forces tried to strike the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline in the Yevlakh District and the Azerbaijani army prevented this attempt.
The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, has appealed to the world community and international organizations regarding the shooting by the Armenian military at the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. The statement said the shooting got carried out with prohibited cluster bombs. A criminal case has been launched on the fact.
The Ministry of Defense of Armenia denies the information spread by Azerbaijan.
