Social media users pointed out Georgia's mutual energy dependence after the cessation of fuel supplies to Abkhazia.
Georgia and Abkhazia are interdependent in the energy sector due to the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station, users of social media noted, commenting on the cessation of fuel supplies to Abkhazia. Commentators called for the resumption of fuel supplies, while some pointed out the risk of sanctions against Georgia.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", earlier, the company Repsol, which owned the Connect gas station network and sold gasoline to a mediator with the permission of the Georgian government, announced the cessation of gasoline shipments to LLC "Solidus", which supplied fuel to Abkhazia. The batch of gasoline that the private Georgian company supplied to Abkhazia was small, and there was no political subtext in this, Abkhaz experts stated. Georgian analysts considered that the gasoline supplies were legal, especially since food products have long been supplied to Abkhazia, for example.
On the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page, two posts were published discussing the cessation of gasoline supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia. Both publications collectively received 906 comments.
Commentators reminded of the interaction between Abkhazia and Georgia regarding the Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station
The Inguri Hydroelectric Power Station (Inguri HPP) is the largest hydroelectric power station in the Caucasus, located on the Inguri River. After the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, the power station came under the jurisdiction of Georgia and the unrecognized Abkhazia. The dam of the Inguri HPP is located in the territory controlled by the Georgian authorities, while the control panel is in the Gal district controlled by the Abkhaz side. At the same time, 100% of the shares of JSC "Inguri HPP" remained in the ownership of the Georgian state. There is an agreement between Abkhazia and Georgia on the division of electricity: Abkhazia receives 40%, Georgia 60%, according to the "Caucasian Knot" reference "Inguri HPP".
Some commentators reminded of the interdependence of Abkhazia and Georgia in the energy sector.
"Inguri HPP in Abkhazia, reservoir in Mingrelia. If the HPP does not work, Georgia will not receive energy, if the dam is closed, Abkhazia will not receive. Where is the free help here if one cannot have energy without the other?" wrote Nina Zykova.
"Inguri HPP in Abkhazia, just so you know," noted Sergey Arshba.
Some users, positioning themselves as residents of Georgia, called for the resumption of fuel supplies to Abkhazia. "I personally support the resumption of gasoline supplies to Abkhazia. They need Georgia's help in this. And I think Georgia will continue to help Abkhazia and the Abkhaz population with this problem. There is nothing wrong with this, on the contrary — it is beneficial," noted Bachia Sardion Ketsbaya.
"We must definitely help everyone in a circle. Remember the cartoon about Mowgli, when a great drought occurs. We need to strengthen each other's rear," wrote Levani Korkelia.
Commentators linked the cessation of fuel supplies from Georgia to Abkhazia with political reasons and fears of sanctions. "Fear of being sanctioned — that is what caused it," stated Guram Mosashvili.
"It shouldn't have started at all. Was it really so difficult to guess what reaction people would have? Very strange," stated Dasha Kantarija.
"First, they sold 400 tons of gasoline, talking about "Georgian-Abkhaz reconciliation" through a column, and as soon as pressure arose, they immediately changed their position. "Oh, this contradicts our values." But when the money was credited to the account, the question of values did not arise?" asked Morgan Blackwell.
Other commentators stated that the supply was a commercial deal, but the fuel supplies were presented as assistance to Abkhazia. "Write correctly: delivery for sale, not charity or patronage," wrote Garik Aisanig.
"I hesitate to ask, but where does gasoline come from in Georgia? Did they find oil there? Or is it still coming from Russia and Azerbaijan?" asked Elena Myznikova.
The Inguri HPP remains a factor of interdependence between Abkhazia and Georgia
The energy crisis in Abkhazia at the end of 2024 highlighted the issue of interaction with Georgia in the energy sector. From December 7, 2024, rolling blackouts were implemented in the republic, and on December 11, 2024, the operation of the Inguri HPP was suspended due to critically low water levels. Against the backdrop of electricity shortages, the authorities of Abkhazia instructed "Chernomorenergo" to discuss the possibility of increasing supplies from Georgia.
The physical possibility for electricity supplies from Georgia exists, confirmed the former head of "Chernomorenergo", a member of the Abkhaz parliament Rezo Zantaria. "We are united in a single energy system," he told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot". At the same time, Zantaria pointed out that the question of whether the Georgian side would agree to additional supplies depends on its decision.
Georgia's capabilities for additional electricity supply to Abkhazia are limited, noted the former Minister of Energy of Georgia David Mirtskhulava. He explained to a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" that during that period, Georgia itself was importing electricity from Azerbaijan due to increased consumption. "Georgia does not have sufficient capacity to increase energy supply to the region," Mirtskhulava pointed out.
At the same time, electricity from the Inguri HPP continued to flow to Abkhazia, but the station's capacity was insufficient to meet the needs of the republic, Mirtskhulava continued. According to him, for additional supplies from Georgia, it would be necessary to purchase natural gas and engage additional capacities of thermal power plants. The Inguri HPP itself was considered by the expert to be operating at its limits due to critically low water levels.
The political aspect of possible assistance to Abkhazia was assessed by a professor at Ilya Chavchavadze Georgian University, a former member of the Georgian parliament David Darchiashvili. He previously told a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" that he does not expect the Georgian authorities to use the energy crisis to build a long-term strategy regarding Abkhazia. "The Georgian authorities do not have the resources to use the current situation for political purposes," Darchiashvili noted.