According to David Narmania, Chairman of the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (SEMEK), the nationwide power outage in Georgia on July 25 was caused by an accident on the “Imereti” high-voltage transmission line.
According to David Narmania, at today’s meeting, the regulatory commission launched an investigation into the second system failure within its mandate. This involves a technical assessment of the existing system, identifying relevant deficiencies, and planning measures to prevent a complete system blackout in the event of future failures.
“We have received initial information from JSC Georgian State Electrosystem and other suppliers, as well as from various agencies. However, some of the information is still being processed, so we will be able to reach a final conclusion only after synthesizing all of it.
According to preliminary estimates, the second system emergency was triggered by a failure on the ‘Imereti’ high-voltage power line, which then spread throughout the entire system. Put very simply, the system’s protection mechanisms failed to operate properly. What caused this will naturally be established, after which appropriate preventive measures will be taken,” David Narmania stated.
According to SEMEK’s preliminary assessment, improper frequency and voltage regulation by the units of the Enguri Hydroelectric Power Station (Enguri HPP) could have caused fluctuations across the entire grid, which is presumed to be one of the main factors behind the July outages.
“Enguri HPP, as you know, is one of our most crucial hydroelectric facilities, capable of participating in frequency regulation and balancing various technical issues. It also has its own protection systems.
According to preliminary information, there was also a problem with a certain part of the protection systems. On this basis, an international technical team—the one that originally installed these systems—has been invited. This team will inspect and study the situation further and provide us with their findings.
Based on preliminary evaluations, these protection systems had worked previously, but failed to do so in this instance. That is precisely why the underlying cause of this failure is among the key questions we have raised and must get answered. The findings of the experts who arrived specifically for this purpose will help us get those answers.
SakRusEnergo owns and operates the ‘Imereti’ line, so at the next commission meeting, we will receive relevant information from SakRusEnergo as well,” stated David Narmania, whose comments were published by bm.ge.
Regarding the investigation launched by the State Security Service (SSG), Narmania stated that he has not been questioned by the SSG as part of the probe, but that the commission is actively cooperating with the agency and sharing all necessary information.
“We are cooperating with the State Security Service. Information is being exchanged as part of this investigation, and we are providing them with all necessary information,” said SEMEK Chairman David Narmania.
For context, emergency power outages occurred across Georgia on July 24 and 25. In connection with these incidents, the State Security Service launched an investigation under the charge of “sabotage.”