Georgia will begin to fight miners who abuse free electricity – Bits Media

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Грузия начнет бороться со злоупотребляющими бесплатным электричеством майнерами - Bits Media

The Ministry of Economy of Georgia plans, with the help of local governments of Svaneti and the Energo-pro Georgia company, to solve the problem of miners, enjoying free electricity.

In the Svaneti region of northwestern Georgia, the expansion of mining farms has led to protests protest by local residents. Miners use electricity, которое власти поставляют в высокогорные села бесплатно. В итоге сети не справляются с нагрузкой, из-за чего начались периодические отключения электроэнергии.

Georgian Minister of Economy Natia Turnava together with representatives of Energo-pro Georgia at a briefing 10 january
assured, that the government intends to resolve the painful issue.

Particularly large volumes of energy consumption by miners are recorded in the area of ​​Mestia.. Low tariffs apply here for entrepreneurs working in the highlands, and the cost of supplying energy to households was borne by the state. Due to overload and damaged networks, until the end of December, residents of Svaneti received electricity on schedule.

Protest organizers blame local authorities for everything, Insisting, that miners are supported by corrupt officials. Electricity supplier, Energo-pro Georgia has already threatened the region with an increase in electricity tariffs. The Minister of Economy promised not to involve the police in the search for illegal cryptocurrency miners for now.. Natia Turnava is confident, that residents of the village of Mestia will not resume protests until the opening of the tourist season.

The Georgian mining industry began to develop eight years ago. Now she is faced with the problem of increasing electricity consumption by miners. Also in 2014 year GCF fund with capital in $6 billion began to build a Bitcoin mining center in Georgia. IN 2018 Bitmain, in partnership with BitKan, held a summit for miners in Tbilisi, dedicated to industry development prospects. At the same time, two Georgian mining companies Geo Service and BFDS were included in the list of the five largest consumers of electricity in the country.