The flow of electricity from Russia to Abkhazia has actually been carried out since 2016 in the autumn-winter period. The volumes of crossflow are different annually. Before the start of the crossflow from December 11, 2020, Abkhazia already had a debt for February-April 2020 in the amount of 619 million rubles, plus 190 million rubles for 2019.
“At the moment, 190 million rubles for the flow of 2019 has been compensated as part of the Investment Program. In parallel, a source of financing in the amount of 162 million rubles was determined from the balance of the debt of 619 million rubles as part of the decision of the co-chairs of the Russian-Abkhaz intergovernmental commission, and this debt will be repaid this year. The remainder of the debt is still without sources of financing, and, accordingly, the current flow too, ” Ozgan said.
According to her, President Aslan Bzhania appealed to the Russian leadership with a request to consider the issue of paying off this debt.
“We will inform additionally about the decisions to be made on the balance of debt. Work in this direction is underway and we are in control of the situation, ” Minister said.
Christina Ozgan also touched upon the topic of electricity tariffs.
The current electricity tariffs do not meet the requirements that should be applied to this strategic industry.
“We practically do not have a tariff policy in the energy sector, as in many other industries. Everything related to tariffs in our country always rests on the social component. Against the background of wages and pensions that we pay, it is difficult to talk about the current tariff policy. But it is not right not to move, stand still and wait for someone to solve our problems for us, ” Ozgan emphasized.
She recalled that the electricity tariffs in the republic have not changed since 2011.
“They were approved 10 years ago. It is clear that the cost of electricity is several times different from the current tariffs. In such a situation, it is not entirely justified to demand from power engineers adequate work, supply of uninterrupted energy in the required amount, ” said Deputy Prime Minister.
Christina Ozgan shared her plans to change electricity tariffs.
“We will initiate a change in tariffs. This issue will be discussed both in the government and with parliament members in order to come up with a medium-term plan of action. We need to at least ensure that we can pay the cost of a kilowatt, ” Ozgan said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy drew attention to another serious problem, namely, non-payment for electricity.
“Even with such low electricity tariffs, the non-payment rate is very high. It is clear that the level of administration is low, therefore RUE Chernomorenergo has to carry out a lot of work, ” Christina Ozgan emphasized.