The Abkhaz Chernomorenergo state-owned company increased energy output in January-September 2006 by 3.6 per cent as compared to the same period of 2005, which now amounts to 829.578 million kWh, the state company told the President's official Site.
In particular, the Ingur Hydro-Power Plant generated electric power of 562.167 million kWh, which is 27 per cent less than in the same period of the previous year. Accordingly, the foreign power supplies to Abkhazia January-September 2006 amounted to 267.411 million kWh, which is nine times more than in January—September 2005.
"The decreased power output of the Ingur Hydro-Power Plant is conditioned by the routine maintenance works in the summer. On 18 August the Plant returned to ordinary mode of operation", a Chernomorenergo representative clarified.
The largest energy supplier to Abkhazia is the Kubanenergo JSC (Russia). In the 9 elapsed months of 2006, the Kuabnenergo power supplies to Abkhazia amounted to 185.837 million kWh. By comparison, its power supplies in the 9 months of 2005 totaled 28.976 million kWh. Energy is imported to Abkhazia primarily in the wintertime, which is the season of peak load on the energy system coinciding with a drop in the water level in the river Ingur.
The Chernomorenergoýs anticipated output for 2006 is 1.072 bln. kWh, which is 5.5 per cent less than in 2005 (1,133.458 million kWh). According to the 2007 plan, the Chernomorenergo can produce a total of 1.142 bln. kWh. In 2004 the energy company produced 74.529 million kWh of energy.
Abkhazia with its 8,700 sq. km. is supplied by the Ingur Electric Power Plant. The installation includes 5 power generating units with overall installed power capacity of 1450 MWt. The Plant has an employed power of 1200 MWt. The energy cost is 0.4 rubles kWh for enterprises and 0.18 for individuals, with free of charge connection. The plant's own generating capacity is enough to last Abkhazia for the next 5—6 years. The Republic is ready to receive fresh capacities and can sell off excess energy in spring and summer.
