energy

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Sarsang reservoir. Photo: Ani Balayan/CivilNet

Armenia

Energy crisis looms in Nagorno-Karabakh as reservoir levels fall

by Ani Avetisyan

•3 min read

As Nagorno-Karabakh continues to experience gas and electricity cuts in its fifth month under blockade, the region’s largest water reservoir faces depletion, threatening to leave the region without the hydroelectric power it depends on. Government officials on Saturday announced that the water volume of the Sarsang reservoir in northern Nagorno-Karabakh was at its lowest in 30 years. The reservoir’s water level has fallen by 25 metres since it became the main source of electricity for over

Christmas lights in Sukhumi (Sukhum). Photo: OC Media

Abkhazia

Electricity prices to double in Abkhazia as rolling blackouts return

by OC Media

•2 min read

The price of electricity in Abkhazia is to almost double for the second time in less than a year, representing a 225% increase on the previous year. As a deal with Russia expires, it remains unclear how Abkhazia will meet its energy needs in the year ahead. From 1 January, the price per kilowatt hour of electricity will rise from ₽0.70 ($0.01) to ₽1.30 ($0.02). The price previously rose from ₽0.40 per kilowatt hour in July. The announcement came as Abkhazia is set to once again reintroduce

The Enguri Dam. Photo: Dominik K Cagara/OC Media.

Abkhazia

Rolling blackouts re-introduced in Abkhazia

by OC Media

•1 min read

Abkhazia has reintroduced rolling blackouts, as the region struggles to address an energy shortfall. The power will be switched off for one-hour periods five times per day rotating through different regions of Abkhazia. While the schedule was announced on 9 November by the state power distribution firm, Chernomorenergo, blackouts began to occur on 1 November after an emergency shutdown of the Achguara High-Voltage Line. The Achguara Line connects the Enguri (Ingur) hydropower plant, which

Abkhazia

Abkhazia introduces rolling blackouts

by Marianna Kotova

•2 min read

The authorities in Abkhazia have introduced nightly power outages in an attempt to curb their electricity deficit. From Monday, each night in a different region of Abkhazia, the electricity supply is shut down for two hours. Rising electricity consumption combined with an ageing electrical grid have led to an increasing number of blackouts in Abkhazia in recent years. Local experts say the problem has been exacerbated by the proliferation of crypto-mining in Abkhazia, despite some efforts b

Abkhazia

Abkhazia moves to shut down cryptomining as blackouts escalate

by Marianna Kotova

•6 min read

For years, Abkhazia has suffered from seasonal blackouts every winter. While the authorities blame cryptocurrency miners, experts say the problem goes much deeper. Power outages are a winter tradition in Abkhazia. Abkhazia’s electricity supply depends on water levels in the hydroelectric power plant on the River Ingur (Enguri), which is jointly managed by Abkhazian and Georgian staff. During winter, these are critically low, as the mountains are covered with snow and very little water reaches

chechens

Editorial | Georgia’s show of force in Pankisi was reckless and irresponsible

by OC Media

•5 min read

A pitched battle between protesters and riot police in Georgia’s Pankisi Valley has undone years of work to build trust with a community that has been historically marginalised. The government needs to prioritise a more participatory approach to regional development over business interests. On Sunday, environmental protesters in northeast Georgia’s Pankisi Valley clashed with riot police over the resumption of construction work on a hydropower plant (HPP) — the third in the valley.

Chechnya

Russian regions eye Chechnya’s gas debt write off

by OC Media

•4 min read

The Chechen Prosecutor’s Office has successfully applied in court for gas debts worth a reported ₽9 billion ($136 million) owed by the local population to Gazprom, to be written off. The ruling has led politicians from other regions of Russia to call for similar debt write-offs. On 18 January, the official website of the Prosecutor’s Office reported that on 20 December, Grozny’s Zavodskoy District Court granted their appeal to have debts older than three years owed to the local subsidiar