Prices of uninterruptible power supply in Abkhazia

Russia begins humanitarian electricity supply to Abkhazia amid severe power shortages caused by low water levels at Enguri Dam.

Abkhazia, located along the Black Sea and bordering Russia's Krasnodar region, has faced prolonged power outages since early December. Low water levels at the Enguri hydroelectric dam, the region's primary energy source, forced an emergency shutdown, leaving residents with 9-11 hours of daily outages.

Low water levels at the Enguri hydroelectric dam, the region's primary energy source, forced an emergency shutdown, leaving residents with 9-11 hours of daily outages. In response to Abkhazia's appeal, Russia has agreed to supply electricity to the region, easing the crisis.

However, after Abkhazia failed to fulfill several commitments to the Kremlin—most notably, passing a law allowing Russians to purchase residential property—this “humanitarian supply” ended. Russia now sells electricity to Abkhazia at a market rate of 4 rubles [around $0.04] per kilowatt-hour, a cost the republic cannot afford.

The previously announced energy collapse in Abkhazia has finally arrived. Previously framed as a schedule of rolling blackouts, the new system has now been officially termed a “power-on schedule.” This means that electricity will only be available across the republic for a total of 4 hours and 40 minutes during the day.

The humanitarian aid follows an appeal from Abkhazia's leadership, which described the current power shortages as a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Abkhazia, located along the Black Sea and bordering Russia's Krasnodar region, has faced prolonged power outages since early December.