Former Deputy Energy Minister and founder of Pixel Academy, Avtandil Kuchava says the widespread use of cryptocurrency mining equipment in Mestia was a predictable outcome of the region’s long-standing access to free electricity. Speaking about the government’s decision to introduce electricity metering in the municipality, he noted that residents and businesses did not violate any laws by using the power available to them.
According to Kuchava, the core issue is not cryptocurrency mining itself but the strain placed on the local power system. He argues that outdated infrastructure, inefficient electricity consumption, and energy-intensive enterprises, including sawmills, have contributed significantly to the region’s growing energy challenges.
Kuchava also said that mining should not automatically be viewed as a negative activity. In his view, it can create economic value and attract investment if it operates within a properly regulated framework and pays for the electricity it consumes.
The comments come after law enforcement authorities seized 148 cryptocurrency mining devices in Mestia as part of efforts to curb excessive power consumption. The government is moving forward with a metering project that will end the practice of free electricity use in the municipality and introduce a standard billing system for consumers.
