Georgia needs stronger alignment between its main climate and energy planning documents, according to a new analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency.

IRENA published the report on 29 June 2026. It compares Georgia’s National Energy and Climate Plan, Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution.

The documents were prepared at different times. Moreover, they use different baselines, modelling methods, sector definitions and policy assumptions.

As a result, they do not always provide a consistent view of Georgia’s future energy system or emissions pathway.

Long-term emissions pathways differ

IRENA found that Georgia’s medium-term and long-term plans point toward notably different emissions outcomes.

Under the NECP scenario, greenhouse-gas emissions would remain about 40% below 1990 levels in 2050 when land use and forestry are included.

However, Georgia’s most ambitious LT-LEDS scenario aims for climate neutrality by the same year. In that scenario, emissions continue falling after 2035 and reach net zero by 2050.

Therefore, IRENA says the NECP’s post-2030 pathway does not fully support the long-term neutrality objective.

The report recommends closer alignment between future NECP updates and the more ambitious LT-LEDS pathway.

Plans rely on different renewable-energy mixes

Georgia’s plans also present different visions for the future electricity system.

Both the NECP and the most ambitious LT-LEDS scenario project that renewables will account for around 90% of installed electricity capacity by 2050.

However, the technology mix differs.

In the NECP scenario, wind and solar together account for 32% of capacity in 2050. The comparable share in the LT-LEDS scenario reaches 19%.

Meanwhile, hydropower represents 59% of the NECP capacity mix. In the LT-LEDS scenario, its share reaches 72%.

These differences matter because each pathway requires different investments in generation, grids, flexibility and balancing resources.

Georgia retains a strong renewable base

IRENA describes Georgia’s existing renewable-energy ambitions as significant.

The NECP includes a binding target for renewables to reach 27.4% of gross final energy consumption by 2030.

For the electricity sector, the NECP and LT-LEDS scenarios project renewable shares of 82% and 87% of installed capacity in 2030.

However, IRENA notes that existing measures alone would not deliver the deeper emissions reductions required for climate neutrality.

Georgia may therefore need to accelerate renewable deployment while also improving energy efficiency, system flexibility and long-term investment planning.

Clearer plans could support investment

The report links stronger policy alignment with greater credibility and clearer signals for investors.

Different baselines and technology assumptions make it harder to compare plans. They can also create uncertainty about which generation technologies, infrastructure and emissions pathways Georgia intends to prioritise.

IRENA recommends harmonising the core assumptions used across future planning documents. It also suggests common sector definitions and clearer modelling methods.

In addition, the agency proposes integrating assessments of investment needs into Georgia’s climate plans. Such assessments could identify financing requirements and possible funding sources.

These could include private investment, development finance, government support and international carbon-finance mechanisms.

Stronger coordination proposed

IRENA also identifies institutional coordination as an important issue.

Different ministries lead Georgia’s energy and climate planning processes. Their documents also follow different update schedules.

The report suggests stronger inter-ministerial governance, common reporting systems and shared datasets.

Furthermore, IRENA supports creating a permanent planning team with adequate technical and human resources. This team could review modelling results, coordinate national institutions and maintain consistency across future planning cycles.

Georgia submitted its NDC 3.0 on 25 March 2026. IRENA says its comparative analysis supported that update process.

Therefore, the report provides both an assessment of earlier inconsistencies and a framework for reviewing future implementation and revisions.

The broader message is that ambitious targets alone are not enough. Georgia will also need consistent scenarios, coordinated institutions and clear investment priorities to turn those targets into renewable-energy projects.

Source: International Renewable Energy Agency, Aligning Georgia’s climate and energy planning: A comparative analysis of the NDC, NECP and LT-LEDS.