Moscow, 30 March 2005. Power supplies to Georgia's capital city, Tbilisi, were resumed on the night of 30 March. This became possible thanks to the well-coordinated efforts taken by the Russian and Georgian energy utilities.

In March 2005, several transmission towers of the Kavkasioni HV Line (which is used to transfer electricity from Russia to Georgia) were destroyed by avalanches. As a result, Russian electricity supplies to Georgia were interrupted, which caused power shortages of up to 200 MW a day in Georgia's power grid. The situation was complicated by the prolonged winter resulting in a low water levels in the hydropower plant reservoirs in Georgia.

In these circumstances, the interstate "Alaverdi" high-voltage transmission line has been operated at the maximum load, with 160 MW of electricity supplied to Georgia by ZAO "INTER RAO UES" from Armenia. Also, the Salkhino transmission line going from Russia to Georgia through Abkhasia has been switched on. The ninth 200-MW power unit of the Mtkvari hydroelectric power plant owned by ZAO "INTER RAO UES" is currently supplying one third of its power to customers in Tbilisi, and two thirds to Georgia's energy market. Power is also supplied by the third 100-MW power unit at the Tbilisi thermal power plant and the hydropower unit at the Inguri hydropower plant (260 MW).

An official at the Telasi power utility in Tbilisi said that the company will continue to fully meet the demand for power in the capital city if there are no accidents with their generating and network facilities.

RAO UES companies are doing their best to ensure reliable power supply to the Georgian population. However, to ensure stability of its energy system Georgia has to undertake technological modernization, massive investments, primarily in the construction of new transmission lines linking Georgia with the neighbouring countries' power systems, and in the major overhaul of the Inguri hydropower plant. RAO "UES of Russia" is prepared to take part in such projects.

At the same time, we will oppose any attempts to use the electricity shortages faced by Georgia's consumers for the purpose of creating an atmosphere of mutual distrust among the peoples of Russia and Georgia.

Electricity supplies from Russia to Georgia through the Kavkasioni transmission line will be fully restored in the shortest possible time.