The de facto Minister of Economy of Abkhazia, Kristina Ozgan, is on a working visit to Moscow. On February 1, she met with the Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Evgeny Grabchak.

Author: Ani Zirakashvili

An increase in prices for fuels and lubricants is expected in the Tskhinvali region, at some gas stations the prices have already been raised. Until recently, the price tag for AI-92 was RUB 36-38, AI-95 - RUB 41-42, gas – RUB 27. 

Following the recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali by the Russian Federation in August 2008, Moscow actively began the process of integration of the occupied regions of Georgia, including in the field of the energy. See Ani Zirakashvili`s article on Russia’s Energy Policy in the Tskhinvali Region published on the website of Rondeli Foundation.

In Moscow, on September 2, Znaur Gasiev, the de facto ambassador of the Tskhinvali region to Russia, and Evgeny Grabchak, the Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, signed an agreement on technological connection of power infrastructure facilities.

Following to the decision of the Russian government, Russia will discuss and subsequently sign an agreement with the de facto government of the Tskhinvali region on technological connection of a section of a power transmission line. 

According to the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, agreement on construction of the second power transmission line for the supply of electricity to the Tskhinvali Region should be signed this year, stated the Deputy Minister, Anatoly Yanovsky.

On February 1, the Russian Federation started supplying Abkhazia with electricity. Energy deficit in Abkhazia was caused by water decrease to critical level in Jvari reservoir that led to Enguri Dam electricity production cut-off. 

To resolve the energy shortage problem in Abkhazia, Valery Bganba, acting de facto President of Abkhazia, had a phone conversation with Alexander Novak,  the Minister of Energy of Russia.