Abkhazia restricts internet to combat cryptomining
Date: 2024-12-10 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
Acting Prime Minister of Abkhazia Valery Bganba announced preparations to introduce a state of emergency due to an acute shortage of electricity. As a result of the lack of resources, the work of all educational institutions, including schools and kindergartens, has already been suspended.
In order to check the impact of mining on energy consumption, the internet connection was disconnected throughout the country from midnight to 7 a.m. "This is a temporary measure aimed at assessing the scale of the problem associated with the illegal activities of miners," Bganba said at a meeting of the crisis headquarters.
According to Timur Dzhindzholiia, CEO of Chernomorenergo, mining farms in the region consume from 40 to 45 MW of electricity. In annual terms, this exceeds 350 million kWh, which is half of the country's total energy deficit.
Bganba appealed to parliament with a proposal to pass laws to tighten the fight against illegal mining. In particular, he called for law enforcement agencies to be given the authority to confiscate equipment, including access to private homes where this activity may be carried out.
Earlier, at a meeting with representatives of the energy and law enforcement sectors, the Prime Minister demanded that measures be promptly developed to suppress the activities of illegal miners.
The energy crisis in Abkhazia is aggravated by the decrease in the water level in the Jvari reservoir, which has affected the operation of the Inguri hydroelectric power station, a key source of electricity for the western part of the republic and the capital Sukhum. The agreement on electricity supplies from Russia, which was in effect until December 10, was not extended due to a lack of funds, said Acting Energy Minister Dzhansukh Nanba.
