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The Messenger, Georgia
Nov 16 2004
Electricity imports to continue
Ministers dismiss claims that Telasi's import agreement corrupt
By Christina Tashkevich
Imports of electricity from Armenia will not be stopped, as had
previously been suggested, while imports from Russia will begin in
the next few days, Minister of Energy Nika Gilauri said on Monday.
On Friday Telasi returned the license it received just two weeks ago
from the National Energy Regulation Commission (GNERC) after
accusations against the company's import contracts.
Director General of Telasi Dangiras Mikalajunas explained the
company's decision to return the license relates to a recent letter
sent by the Energy Ombudsman David Ebralidze to the General
Prosecutor of Georgia.
Ebralidze together with the MP Gia Natsvlishvili blamed Telasi for
signing one-sided agreements on imports from Armenia and Russia which
were profitable for Armenia and Russia but not for the Georgian
government. The letter claimed that the price of one imported
kilowatt/hour had been increased by 0.15 U.S. cents.
On Friday Mikalajunas said the Georgian government must evaluate this
letter and then decide over the future of electricity imports from
Armenia.
As a result, on Monday Minister Gilauri met with Minister of Security
Vano Merabishvili, General Prosecutor Gia Adeishvili and Director
General of Telasi Dangiras Mikalajunas to discuss the situation over
Telasi and electricity imports.
After the meeting, Gilauri stated that the imports from Armenia would
continue, while Merabishvili stated that Telasi received a full
guarantee from the government at the meeting that "there would be no
problem with importing electricity into the country."
"There are forces in Georgia who do not want Tbilisi to have a
24-hour electricity supply," Merabishvili said, adding however that
law enforcers "are currently studying the statements" made in
Ebralidze's letter.
Telasi's press officer told The Messenger on Monday the government
expressed its support to Telasi, saying, "there was no corrupt deal
behind the electricity imports from Armenia."
Telasi said that while it was true that the price of imports has
increased comparing with last year, this is "a worldwide matter."
The company, which distributes electricity to Tbilisi, claims,
however, that there is no item in the agreement which prohibits
Telasi from raising the price of imported energy.
Telasi also confirmed that imports from Russia will begin in a few
days, leading Deputy Minister of Energy Aleko Khetaguri to state at a
press conference on Friday that Tbilisi will receive electricity
without limitations.
Last Wednesday, November 10, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania threatened
minister Gilauri by saying that unless problems in the sector were
resolved in two weeks, the minister would face dismissal.
Minister Gilauri responded that the ministry has formulated a plan
for improved payment collection, as well as a schedule for
electricity distribution, whereby the regions will receive eight
hours per day, large cities 18 hours, and the capital 24 hours of
electricity.
"Such schedules will be formulated monthly and will be published in
regional newspapers and also will be announced by television and on
the internet. In this way the population will be able to check the
schedule of their region or city," stated Gilauri.
Nov 16 2004
Electricity imports to continue
Ministers dismiss claims that Telasi's import agreement corrupt
By Christina Tashkevich
Imports of electricity from Armenia will not be stopped, as had
previously been suggested, while imports from Russia will begin in
the next few days, Minister of Energy Nika Gilauri said on Monday.
On Friday Telasi returned the license it received just two weeks ago
from the National Energy Regulation Commission (GNERC) after
accusations against the company's import contracts.
Director General of Telasi Dangiras Mikalajunas explained the
company's decision to return the license relates to a recent letter
sent by the Energy Ombudsman David Ebralidze to the General
Prosecutor of Georgia.
Ebralidze together with the MP Gia Natsvlishvili blamed Telasi for
signing one-sided agreements on imports from Armenia and Russia which
were profitable for Armenia and Russia but not for the Georgian
government. The letter claimed that the price of one imported
kilowatt/hour had been increased by 0.15 U.S. cents.
On Friday Mikalajunas said the Georgian government must evaluate this
letter and then decide over the future of electricity imports from
Armenia.
As a result, on Monday Minister Gilauri met with Minister of Security
Vano Merabishvili, General Prosecutor Gia Adeishvili and Director
General of Telasi Dangiras Mikalajunas to discuss the situation over
Telasi and electricity imports.
After the meeting, Gilauri stated that the imports from Armenia would
continue, while Merabishvili stated that Telasi received a full
guarantee from the government at the meeting that "there would be no
problem with importing electricity into the country."
"There are forces in Georgia who do not want Tbilisi to have a
24-hour electricity supply," Merabishvili said, adding however that
law enforcers "are currently studying the statements" made in
Ebralidze's letter.
Telasi's press officer told The Messenger on Monday the government
expressed its support to Telasi, saying, "there was no corrupt deal
behind the electricity imports from Armenia."
Telasi said that while it was true that the price of imports has
increased comparing with last year, this is "a worldwide matter."
The company, which distributes electricity to Tbilisi, claims,
however, that there is no item in the agreement which prohibits
Telasi from raising the price of imported energy.
Telasi also confirmed that imports from Russia will begin in a few
days, leading Deputy Minister of Energy Aleko Khetaguri to state at a
press conference on Friday that Tbilisi will receive electricity
without limitations.
Last Wednesday, November 10, Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania threatened
minister Gilauri by saying that unless problems in the sector were
resolved in two weeks, the minister would face dismissal.
Minister Gilauri responded that the ministry has formulated a plan
for improved payment collection, as well as a schedule for
electricity distribution, whereby the regions will receive eight
hours per day, large cities 18 hours, and the capital 24 hours of
electricity.
"Such schedules will be formulated monthly and will be published in
regional newspapers and also will be announced by television and on
the internet. In this way the population will be able to check the
schedule of their region or city," stated Gilauri.