Moscow. 23 January 2006. The repair teams of the Russian-Georgian JV "GrusRosenergo" and the Southern Transmission Grids, a branch of FGC, are working to repair the Kvakasioni 500 kV transmission line damaged as a result of a terrorist attack. The transmission line is used for the bulk of electricity deliveries from Russia to Georgia.

Three pylons of the Kavkasioni electric power line were destroyed and one damaged as a result of the explosions near Karachayevsk in Karachay-Cherkessia at 02:07 a.m. Moscow time yesterday. According to experts who examined the damaged pylons, the pylons were beyond repair. Currently, new pylons are being erected to replace those destroyed. UES experts and law enforcement representatives are examining the Kavkasioni HV power line to prevent further terrorist attacks.

The Southern Transmission Grids filed a claim on the pylon blasts with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia. A Task Force was created to address the consequences of the explosions. RAO "UES of Russia" also took a decision to strengthen anti-terror arrangements designed to protect the energy facilities.

As a result of the blasts, the three high-voltage transmission lines carrying electricity from Russia to Georgia went off line.

After the explosions, the Russian energy companies promptly took a series of response measures and resumed electricity transfers of 80 MW from Russia to Georgia through the back-up Psou-Bzybi 220 kV high-voltage line in Abkhazia. ZAO "INTER RAO UES" assisted in starting electricity deliveries of up to 40 MW to Georgia's energy distributor, Telasi, from Azerbaijan's energy system operating in parallel with the UES of Russia.