Daily Power Cut of 4 Hours in Artsakh as Load Shedding Schedule Changes

Starting tomorrow, Artsakh will transition to a four-hour load shedding schedule. This information was reported by the Artsakh Information Headquarters. The decision was made during an operational headquarters meeting led by Artsakh Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

The energy supply situation in Artsakh remains tense. The electricity supply from Armenia to Artsakh is still disrupted, as the Azerbaijani side does not allow specialists to access their controlled areas to understand the causes of the disruptions.

"In order to meet the minimum energy needs of the population in the long term, starting tomorrow, we will move to a four-hour load shedding schedule instead of the current two hours," the announcement states.

During the meeting, Vardanyan also addressed the sale of primary goods using vouchers, noting that sales will be conducted across the entire republic — 200 stores in Stepanakert and 400 in the surrounding regions. According to Vardanyan, the ongoing blockade and the resulting crisis necessitate a more rational use of available resources, highlighting all issues, including those related to the shadow economy, and implementing more effective management models.

By the Minister's order, a working group has been established to develop measures to mitigate the economic and social consequences of the blockade.

During the meeting, the situation in food, medicine, and fuel markets was presented. It was mentioned that the measures taken have helped reduce tensions regarding cash circulation.

Recall that on the morning of December 12, a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothes blocked the Stepanakert-Goris highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia under the pretense of environmental concerns at the Shushi-Karin Tak intersection. On December 13, the Azerbaijani side also cut off gas supply to Artsakh. On the morning of December 16, Artsakh Prime Minister Ruben Vardanyan stated that gas supply to Artsakh had been restored without any preconditions. However, the Lachin corridor remains closed.