David Narmania, Chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC), delivered a speech at the Consumer Protection Conference, held within the framework of the 3rd International Consumer Protection Week.

During his address, Narmania discussed GNERC’s regulatory framework and projects aimed at safeguarding consumer rights in the energy and water supply sectors. He emphasized the necessity of raising consumer awareness, a common goal shared by six regulatory authorities:

“For the 3rd time, 6 regulatory agencies are organizing the International Consumer Protection Week, during which meetings with consumers will take place not only in Tbilisi but also in Akhalkalaki, Zugdidi, and Batumi. Each year, we meet representatives from different regions to provide them with more information about consumer rights. One of GNERC’s primary objectives is to protect consumer rights in the energy and water supply sectors. Accordingly, GNERC’s regulations are designed to improve service quality, ensure consumers receive high-standard utility services, and guarantee that their rights are protected. In cases where companies violate these rights, the regulatory commission steps in to defend consumers”, - said David Narmania.

He also briefed conference participants on the key consumer rights issues addressed by GNERC in 2024 and the Commission’s response to consumer rights violations: “GNERC takes strict action against consumer rights violations. In 2024 alone, the Commission annulled nearly 3 million GEL in unjustified charges imposed on consumers by utility companies. Additionally, due to service standard violations, utility providers have issued compensations amounting to nearly 1 million GEL. Any citizen who believes their rights have been violated by a utility service provider can submit a complaint to GNERC or the Energy Ombudsman’s Office. We thoroughly investigate all cases”.

He also highlighted GNERC’s commitment to transparency and its approach to regulatory oversight, emphasizing the significance of the Commission’s statistics portal. This portal enables stakeholders to access essential information in a single space, including detailed data on electricity supply and consumption balances, net metering, and statistics on retail electricity consumers.

The 3rd International Consumer Protection Week, held from March 10-15, is jointly organized by 2 regulatory bodies: GNERC, Competition and Consumer Protection Agency, Communications Commission, National Bank, the Insurance State Supervision Service, and the National Food Agency. The event aims to enhance consumer protection mechanisms. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from government and parliamentary institutions, the public sector, regulatory commissions, academia, business entities, and consumer protection organizations, along with local and international experts.