Abkhazia to raise electricity tariffs for businesses by 40% to pay for Russian power imports
Electricity tariffs for commercial customers in Abkhazia will rise by 40%. However, the increase will apply only during the autumn-winter period, when the region imports electricity to cover its energy shortfall.
The Inguri hydroelectric power plant is Abkhazia’s only source of electricity. However, its output falls from around November until March or April as water levels in the Inguri River drop. Electricity consumption in the region, meanwhile, rises.
In 2025, a shortfall of 500 million kWh was covered by electricity imports from Russia. Russia provided some of this electricity to Abkhazia free of charge as humanitarian aid, but the authorities had to buy the rest at market prices.
This comes at a high cost for Abkhazia: Russian electricity is significantly more expensive than the domestic tariffs charged to consumers. The current rate is 2 roubles [$0.02] per kWh for households and 3 roubles [$0.03] for legal entities. Under the agreement with Russia, however, Abkhazia will have to pay 5.5 roubles [$0.06] per kWh for imported electricity.
This is why the authorities decided to raise tariffs for businesses.
“When we pay 5.5 roubles per kWh for imported electricity but sell it to households for 2 roubles, this is also an example of the state’s social responsibility towards its citizens.
“But for commercial enterprises and institutions – where businesses make money – the tariff should match the purchase price during periods when we import electricity,” Abkhaz President Badra Gunba said. He instructed the government to approve this as the republic’s new tariff policy.
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