The 12th Georgian International Oil, Gas, Infrastructure and Energy Conference (GIOGIE) took place on 26 – 27 March 2013 at the Radisson BluIveria Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia.This annual event traditionally attracts over 150 delegates from around 15 countries. Georgian sector specialists mainly reviewed Georgia’s role in regional energy security and sources for the future development of hydropower sector and cross-border trade opportunities.

WEG Director of Energy Studies, Murman Margvelashvili made a presentation “Challenges of Georgia’s Energy Sector”. He talked about the challenges posed to Georgia’s energy sector by negotiations on EU Association agreement, membership in Energy Community and compliance with EU 2^nd and 3^rd directive packages, interconnection with Turkish electricity market and growing electricity demand in Georgia, hydrology uncertainty and power supply in nearest years. He reviewed existing system problems and barriers in the sector, emphasized the pressing need for in depth reforms and stronger Donor support and coordinated, comprehensive action in cooperation with the Government.