Georgia Partially Blacked Out

Most of eastern Georgia – including the capital Tbilisi – was blacked out on January 26 after the “Imereti” high-voltage power line was damaged, amid a continuing gas crisis in the country.

According to preliminary information, the “imereti” power line, which delivers electricity from western Georgia to the eastern part of the country, was damaged as a result of heavy snowfall.

Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri said on January 25 that the country?s energy system was operating ?without any reserve resources of electricity? after the “Kavkasioni” high-voltage power line was blown-up in Russia?s North Caucasus on January 22.

?So even a minor problem or damage to a power line might cause a black out,? Nika Gilauri said on Wednesday after the government?s session.

Officials say that electricity is currently only being delivered to hospitals and other facilities of ?vital importance? in Tbilisi.

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