Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said electricity consumption in Mestia Municipality has fallen by 22% following the installation of electricity meters, but said further reductions are needed.
According to Kobakhidze, 54 balancing meters have been installed across 33 villages. Another 48 meters will be installed in 25 villages by the end of the year, completing the metering process.
He said Georgia had been losing around GEL 20 million worth of electricity annually due to cryptocurrency mining in Mestia, which he described as illegal income. The government launched the metering process as part of efforts to tackle crypto mining in the highland region.
Kobakhidze said the 22% decline is not sufficient and that electricity consumption is expected to fall further once metering is fully completed.
