Powering Georgia’s Future: Mapping The Best Zones For Solar And Wind Energy Investment – IRENA Report

Georgia has strong potential to develop utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and onshore wind energy projects. A recent study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) assessed the best areas across the country for such renewable energy investments. The assessment, which was developed in cooperation with Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development and the Georgian State Electrosystem, used high-quality data on solar and wind resources, infrastructure, topography, population, and land use. The study was carried out to help the country better plan its electricity generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure, and to support Georgia’s renewable energy goals.

The zoning study used a detailed process that looked at every square kilometre of land across Georgia. It examined factors like the strength of solar and wind resources, how close areas are to transmission lines and roads, the land’s slope and elevation, and environmental and population constraints. Areas with high potential were grouped into zones based on technical and economic feasibility. For each zone, factors like capacity factor, annual energy generation, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) were calculated to identify the best areas for investment.

The results show that Georgia has about 6,877 square kilometres of land highly suitable for solar PV projects and about 795 square kilometres for onshore wind. These areas represent around 9.9% and 1.14% of the country’s land area, respectively. The best zones are located near existing and planned transmission lines and roads, which makes them easier and more cost-effective to develop. For solar PV, the most promising areas are found in the eastern, southern, central, and western parts of Georgia. For wind, the best areas are mainly in the central and southern parts.

The study estimates that Georgia has a maximum development potential of around 87 gigawatts (GW) for solar PV and 5.4 GW for onshore wind. These estimates are based on realistic land-use limits, taking into account other land needs like agriculture and cultural preservation. The capacity factors for solar PV zones range between 16.8% and 19.9%, while for wind, they range between 31.9% and 60.5%. Zones with lower performance were not included in the final results.

In terms of cost, solar PV projects have an LCOE ranging from USD 49.5 to 75.2 per megawatt-hour (MWh), while onshore wind projects range from USD 35.6 to 57.3 per MWh. Some solar PV zones have an LCOE under USD 55/MWh, and some wind zones are under USD 45/MWh, making them very competitive. These low-cost zones are mainly located in regions like Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Shida Kartli.

The expected annual electricity generation from these zones is about 137,902 gigawatt-hours (GWh) for solar and 17,874 GWh for wind. Projects in these areas would be located 0.6 to 32.3 kilometres away from the nearest transmission lines, which is considered manageable for grid integration.

While the study provides a strong technical basis for identifying investment-ready sites, it also acknowledges some limitations. The results are sensitive to the input data and assumptions used, and local factors like land ownership may affect actual site selection. Therefore, IRENA recommends conducting more detailed, site-specific assessments using higher-resolution data before moving ahead with development.

IRENA also offers a site assessment service to help identify financially viable project sites. This pre-feasibility analysis can support investors and policymakers in making informed decisions by using detailed local data on weather, land, technology, and project costs.

Georgia has a significant opportunity to boost its renewable energy capacity by developing solar and wind projects in well-identified zones. These zones not only offer strong energy output and cost-effectiveness but are also strategically located near existing infrastructure. With further detailed assessments and strategic planning, Georgia can attract investment and move closer to its goals for sustainable energy and climate action.