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Enguri HPP. Photo: Georgian Energy Ministry
The Enguri hydropower plant, Abkhazia’s main energy supplier, was temporarily stopped on February 19 for monitoring the pressure tunnel, the Georgian Energy Ministry said in its February 21 statement.
The plant will be shut for approximately 14 days, according to the statement.
The Energy Ministry also said that for that period, the power for the region will be supplied “mainly by the Russian energy system,” and the deficit, “which is linked to an increase in power consumption in Abkhazia,” will be covered by Georgia.
“The exact volume and price of electricity to be supplied by Georgia to the occupied territory of Abkhazia, will depend on real consumption. Negotiations are underway on other terms,” it also stated.
Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said on January 30 that the Enguri hydropower plant would be temporarily stopped for monitoring the pressure tunnel as part of the initial preparatory works for a larger rehabilitation works scheduled for 2018.
On January 31, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development issued an invitation for expressions of interest for the Enguri HPP rehabilitation project, which is to begin in May 2017 at the earliest and last for 40 months.
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