The European financed project for the Engurhesi’s electric power generating station rehabilitation is near its final completion. However, for the time being, is now necessary to cease operations of Engurhesi in order to implement the final stages, and to bring the hydro-station back on line at its full capacity. Nonetheless, the temporary suspension of Engurhesi has many-associated problems. And it is expected that these will cause additional confusions, difficulties and delays for the immediate future.

Particularly, considering the difficult condition of the power station, some important issues will have to be negotiated with the stakeholders in the project. Firstly, there is the matter of dealing with the Abkhazian side over the secure movement of workers and transported materials during the actual process of carrying out the rehabilitation, so not to lose down-time, and to complete the work in the shortest period of time as possible and at the required standard of excellence.

In addition, there are security concerns that must be addressed. Merab Davitaia, Deputy Director General of Sakhidroenergomsheni, states that acts of sabotage are possible, and all reasonable effort must be taken to maintain security to the facility and workers at all times. He said, both Georgian and foreign experts working on the rehabilitation project are not being protected and that nobody is accepting the responsibly for their safe movements and to be sure that they can move back and forth without fear or incident from the work site.

It is understandable how he can make such a statement from recent events. February 9, 2005 was a fearful day when Merab Davitaia and foreign experts, including translators were traveling to Engurhesi in two Jeeps. Suddenly five armed persons stopped them, took their cell phones, tossed them over the hill, and demanded that the group leave the territory or face further incidents

Aside the issue of the lax or lack of security, there are some other important issues that should also be discussed. It is understood that the Engurhesi hydro-station is an integral part of the Georgian power grid and a decision should have been reached ahead of the planned shutdown for alternative sources of supplied energy during the down period. Fortunately the Georgian government was able to negotiate with the administration of the Common Russian Energy Systems (RAO EES ROSIA) and agreed for an alternative supply of additional electricity to make up the shortfall.

This subject was discussed last week, during the visit of Vasili Rapaport, who is one of the high-ranking officials of RAO EES ROSIA. It was decided that the Russian Federation would supply Abkhazia additional electricity by 200-kilowatt high-voltage transmission line Salkhino, and the balance to be provided to Georgia via Kavkasioni powerline.

Besides, Zurab Noghaideli, the prime minister of Georgia, also agreed with Armenia that the capacity of electricity imported into Georgia would increase during this down period. By the way, during his meeting with Andranik Margarian, the prime minister of Armenia, Zurab Noghaideli discussed the capacities of the Alaverdi transmission line, by which the electricity is supplied from Armenia, and which is still not enough to supply the needed amount of additional electricity. Therefore, both sides underlined that the construction of a new transmission line is necessary, but for now Georgia will have to make due with the current transmission line and supplied amounts.

However, there are still outstanding problems in the supply scheme. Import from Russia will not be possible until Sakrusenergo, the Georgian- Russian operator of Kavkasioni, is able to repair the line. It is understood that the transmission line was damaged by avalanche and heavy snowfall two weeks ago. The transmission line crosses mountainous regions and difficult climate conditions are delaying the needed repairs and making working conditions very difficult in the meantime.

Sakrusenergo states, the preparation work for the rehabilitation of Kavkasioni is almost finished. Shota Maisuradze, the Deputy Director General of Sakrusenergo, added, that the mobilization of necessary equipment and technology is still an on-going process but in any case that the project rehabilitation of the line will start soon. It is claimed by Sakrusenergo that the rehabilitation of Kavkasioni will cost more then 100,000 GEL and the work will take one month to fully complete.