Abkhazia introduces new schedule of rolling blackouts until Nov 15

SUKHUM. Nov 14 (Interfax) - The Abkhaz authorities have tightened the schedule of rolling blackouts in the republic in a bid to avoid the Ingur Dam's shutdown due to critical water levels in the Jvar reservoir, the press service for Abkhazia's Chernomorenergo company said in a statement.

The outage schedule will be extended by another hour. Abkhazia has been resorting to rolling blackouts, lasting two hours at night and two during the day, since November 1 due to power shortages.

The changes will apply to the area stretching from the border with Georgia at the Ingur River to the center of Sukhum, Chernomorenergo said.

The new schedule is expected to stay in place until November 15, it said. The night schedule remains unchanged.

As previously reported, Abkhazia has been buying electricity from Russia since November 1 to cover the deficit, using this amount to supply its western districts, where the republic's main resorts are located.