Abkhazia to buy Russian electricity 'just in case' from August to November
The state-owned energy company Chernomorenergo plans to import electricity from Russia into Abkhazia between August and November to preserve water levels in the Jvar reservoir, which supplies the Ingur hydropower plant.
Until now, electricity imports took place only during the winter months, when water levels at the plant dropped. However, as electricity prices are significantly higher during that period, the Abkhaz authorities have decided to stock up on electricity while it is cheaper.
The 40% share of electricity generated by the Inguri hydropower plant allocated to Abkhazia under an informal agreement reached after the 1992–93 Georgian-Abkhaz war has, over the past decade, proved insufficient to meet the republic’s electricity needs.
According to Chernomorenergo Director General Timur Dzhindzholia, the annual shortfall amounts to around 500–650 million kWh. While Abkhazia’s budget now includes funding for electricity imports, it is not enough to fully cover the deficit. As a result, the government has opted to purchase Russian electricity during the months when prices are at their lowest.
As recently as two years ago, largely because of uncontrolled cryptocurrency mining, electricity consumption in Abkhazia reached 3 billion kWh a year. During the autumn and winter months, the republic experienced rolling blackouts.
A series of measures to optimise electricity consumption has significantly reduced the deficit. In 2025, around 320 million kWh was covered by humanitarian electricity supplies from Russia, while the remaining shortfall had to be met through commercial imports.
Timur Dzhindzholia said that eliminating the deficit entirely would require the construction of new power generation facilities.
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Electricity imports from Russia to Abkhazia
