According to the Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission`s [GNERC] preliminary assessment, the cause of the second power system shutdown was an accident on the Imereti line, which spread to the entire system because the protection instruments did not function properly.

David Narmania, Chairman of the GNERC, said that the investigation involves evaluating the technically existing systems, identifying relevant flaws, and planning measures that will prevent future system blackouts in the country.

"According to preliminary assessment, the cause of the second systemic failure was an accident on the Imereti high-voltage transmission line, which was then transmitted to the entire system, and to put it in very simple terms, the shutdown instruments in the system did not function properly. The reason behind this will, of course, be determined, and appropriate preventive measures will be taken afterwards.

As you know, Engurhesi is one of our most important hydropower facilities, capable of participating in frequency regulation and balancing various technical issues, and it has its own protection systems. According to preliminary information, there were also problems in a certain part of the protection systems. Consequently, a technical team has been invited from abroad - the ones who originally installed everything. This team will additionally inspect and study the current situation and provide us with the relevant conclusions", - said David Narmania.