Bailing Them Out- Again

The energy crisis has been added to the political crisis in the occupied territory of Abkhazia. The electricity-supplying Enguri Dam is on the verge of shutting down. Abkhazians consumed large amounts of energy during the New Year holidays and the water levels in the reservoirs of the power station have hit a critical low. Abkhazian media reports that only 35 meters separate the dam from the catastrophe. The technical service office confirmed the news, which means that if the water level continues to fall drastically with the current 1.5 meter per day rate, in just over two weeks, occupied Abkhazia will be left in a complete darkness.

The only chances for survival are the melting of snow as spring approaches and a flood in the river Enguri. But before that the leaders of the occupied territory will have to introduce a special electricity schedule. And active discussion of this electricity problem began in Abkhazia on January 12. Aslan Basaia, the director of the state-owned power company Chernomorenergo responsible for the distribution of electricity in Abkhazia, warned the population about the probable shortage of electricity supply in the near future.

Georgian MP Revaz Arveladze also confirms that the level of water is on the critical margin and says that the station can work at a water level of 410 meters, but that in this case the reliability of the dam becomes questionable. “If things get worse, Abkhazia will need to get electricity from Russia. Instead of developing the energy system and renewing existing dams, (for example the one in Tkvarcheli) or building new power stations, Abkhaizans depend solely on the Enguri Dam,” he said.

History is repeating itself. Last year occupied Abkhazia faced the same problem. At that time, too, the solution introduced by Chernomorenergo was a limited power supply schedule. The limit was enforced on January 25 through April 15th. The population was without electricity for two hours during daytime and two-three at night. From mid-February, they risked being left in complete darkness, which was followed by waves of protests and served as a serious additional problem for Raul Khajimba's already highly unpopular reputation. However, it was Official Tbilisi that saved the population, separatist government and even the Russian army dislocated on the occupied territory of Abkhazia- the Ministry of Energy of Georgia willingly purchased electricity from Russia for Abkhazians, who paid nothing for it.

This year, the Minister of Energy of Georgia, Kakha Kaladze, confirmed that a problem regarding the energy supply to Abkhazia exists.

“We will have a meeting to discuss the issue specifically,” he said. “However, like last year, we will probably choose to help them avoid the energy supply issues.”

He was not specific as to how Georgia plans to solve the problem this time around.

Occupied Abkhazia gets electricity from the Enguri Dam free of charge, 40 percent of the generated energy in summer and 100 percent in winter. There is no official document proving this distribution, but it was in early 1994 that Abkhazian and Georgian energy experts met and made approximate calculations about the proportions of the dam according to existing capacities. The main remote controller, which is located on the occupied territory, was assessed as having the value of 40 percent, while the reservoir and the dam 60. The generated energy should have been distributed accordingly, but since there is no gas supply to the occupied territories, Tbilisi decided to give its own 20 percent to Sokhumi.

Until the year 2000, energy spending was not an issue- there was enough for everyone. However, in recent years, the increase of energy consumption in Abkhazia has changed the existing status quo.

What will change in the Geo-Abkhazian relationships and what results and reaction will follow when the energy supply from the Enguri Dam stops around February 15th – is unknown.

Will it further instigate hatred from the Abkhazian side? “No,” says expert Mamuka Areshidze. “There is a limit to everything. Abkhazian’s are very well aware that the power lines are worn out and that they are stealing the electricity. Therefore, they won’t and don’t blame the Georgian side.”

Zaza Jgarkava