Energy, Water, Russia and cold Georgia.

[crus]

Hi all,

I was just wondering what peoples thoughts on how the current energy market (next 10 years) would effect their business and domestinc needs.

I have long had an interest in 'trick' energy solutions and have revisited a couple of ideas recently.

In addition with such little rain over the winter are we looking at water restrictions this year and what ramifications will that cause.

Beyond this can we and do we want to become dependent on Russia for our energy needs? What is being done at a European level to ensure stable supplies of power and heat? Having lived in Jersey for most of my life I am very aware of the position an island is put in when a decision is made to import energy from its larger neighbour, fallout sirens, iodine tablets etc etc.

Finally I hope HansOn isn't getting too cold over their in Georgia?

D

[bwglaw]

Hi...

I was thinking about doing a thread on this but thought it might bore some of you!

It is about 3 degrees here, slightly warmer than yesterday!

The majority of Tbilisi are affected and have no gas, with some having no electricity too. As you may have guessed I have electricity and I also have gas! yahoo!

We have gas because we are living in the 'posh' part of Tbilisi and the Government has somehow managed to keep the supply of gas coming to this part of Tbilisi.

Many Georgians are campaigning outside some Russian controlled buildings, including the Russian Army Offices down the road and putting it politely for them to leave. The PM has come on TV asking everyone to remain calm (to avoid a war!) because Georgian's do express themselves with anger at times.

The demand for electric heaters have increased 3 fold. Some shops have increased the price of these heaters and this has angered some Georgian's. My wife saw a shop-owner get punched because the shop-keeper was exploiting them.

Despite what the media is saying, it is relatively calm here and the President is updating us on TV

[crus]

Sounds a little dicey,

but with it being on the world stage and many top level politicians weighing I'm sure it will be resolved quickly.

D

[Rob Holmes]

<<moved to timeout>>

Rob

[crus]

Hi Rob,

not sure why this was moved to timeout.

I find energy bills a substantial chunk of my bottom line.

D

[bwglaw]

Yet there are still many threads in business forum i.e. shopping cart, that surely should be in ecommerce...I won't go on because I am not a Mod but in the interest of other forums they will appear empty with everyone posting in business.

[creospace]

do you think it's the ruskies J? Living in another neighboring country it's rather worrying.

Interesting uk/russia spy story on the bbc news website today as well.

[bwglaw]

do you think it's the ruskies J? Living in another neighboring country it's rather worrying.

Interesting uk/russia spy story on the bbc news website today as well.

Havent read about the UK/Russia spy story. No doubt the Russians are behind the pipeline blasts because as the Georgian President said the timing of events was immaculate. He ordered the Russian Peacekeepers to leave the border (how can the enemy be peacekeeprs is beyond me!) - they did leave the border and then the pipeline blew up.

The problem with the gas is because Gasprom (Russian gas supplier) is controlled by the Russian Govt with a 51% shareholding and the Deputy Prime Minister is a shareholder/Director.

The latest is that Putin (aka: Gasputin in Georgia!) has ordered for the pipeline to be repaired! I think he was pressurised by other world leaders, especially President Bush because the USA have a large interest in Georgia, with the second currency being US$

[creospace]

Now that is an interesting and yet somewhat unsuprising outcome.

Not that the russains wil ever a) appologise b) own up.

I would love to know how much pressure the US can actually apply on Russia.

[bwglaw]

Had no electric for a few hours!

The Georgian President, Mikhail Saakashvili is a close friend of President Bush. This is because he was educated in USA and qualified as an Attorney. I think he went to Harvard, not sure. He is very pro-western hence Russian feeling envious of worldwide support, including the British Government.

The British Government are supporting Georgia in different way. I know for sure that the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Crown Prosecution Service etc came here to train the law enforcers on human rights etc.

US Government supplied the Georgian Government with thousands of brand-new police patrol cars at no cost. Many large companies here belong to the US i.e. Marriott, Coca-cola, McDonalds etc. The US recently spent $20m to build a new US Embassy in Tbilisi. There is much more investment from the US

Russians are supplying South Ossetian people with weapons hence my comment about Russian peacekeepers, who are indirectly the enemy because Russia got control of another region by the Black Sea, which belonged to Georgia.

[creospace]

more nice tit bits, if you suddenly dissapear we'll know why! Reminds me when i spoke on radio 2 after only beigng here a week about living next door to Russia and the threat of putin, had to look over my shoulder for a fortnight :)

[bwglaw]

Oh dear...just returned to the forum after having no electricity for 12 hours. Russia switched off the electricity. The Georgian President had to return to Georgia from a meeting in Switzerland.

The Georgian President announced on TV that he had a telephone conversation with someone in the Russian Government who said that 'Georgia has to beg for the electricity'. The President has announced that Georgia will not beg and we will resolve any problems. The words used were in a roundabout way saying "kiss my a**"

Georgian Goverment also announced mobalisation of the Georgian army. They said that it was to serve the people in the mountains, but we are not sure of this reasoning.

It appears things are brewing up and I think the President's announcement has only provoked the issue.

[crus]

Thanks for the update HandsOn,

tin hat at the ready, cccp.co.uk may be brought to an early alternative use as a discussion forum on the resurgence of the Soviet Union, Simpsons style!

Keep us in the loop, sure will be resolved soon.

Peace!

D

[bwglaw]

All donations welcome...will provide a Paypal link shortly ;)

[creospace]

man thats not good news especially living in another neighbouring ex ussr country.

Gary

[bwglaw]

The way Crus said his last post 'tin hat ready'..I just visualised Dad's Army.

The biggest problem here is that Georgian's are too expressive and diplomacy and tact are not their strong points. The Russians are no different.

Just because the Russians were told to back off from the border the Russian Government asserted their power over Gasprom. Gasprom are now trying to buy the Russian Govt's 51% shareholding hence the dispute.

Pleased to say I have had constant supply of gas. Electric came back on at 9pm (its now almost 11pm here). Will see how it all pans out whilst other districts have no gas and/or electricity.

[creospace]

how far are you from the embassy, worst case scenario etc? Or maybe airport is a better option :)

[bwglaw]

British Embassy is about a 5 min taxi drive. Airport is 20 minutes away. I actually have a ticket for this Sunday as originally planned, but will see how it goes in a day or two. The district we are in is quite safe hence having constant gas.

[bwglaw]

The latest:

Gas situation now resolved but relations with Russians still remain tense. The gas was soon reinstated after the Mayor of Tbilisi ordered that gas/electric supply to the Russian Embassy and the Russian Army Administration Office is disconnected even though there was gas/electric in the area.

I should have flown back to the UK today but decided to stay a bit longer to at least have a good birthday party here with 2 friends from Bristol coming over to experience the Georgian birthday when the birthday boy pays!

By the way Crus, often in Bristol from time to time because one of my staff lives there on Downend Road. Friend works at the MoD in Abbeywood dealing with torpedoes!

[crus]

A classic case of leverage!

Let me know when you're next in Bristol, happy birthday BTW.

D