Key measures of Belarus’ new energy efficiency program revealed

A state program dedicated to developing and improving the efficiency of the country’s energy system has been recently approved at the government level. “We see that energy in recent years has begun to play an increasingly significant role in citizens’ lives and in the economy. This precisely served as the starting point for developing a separate state program that would be aimed at energy development,” Denis Moroz said.

He pointed out that within the Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency program, which is designed in accordance with the indicators of Belarus’ social and economic development program for 2026-2030, a fundamental task has been set to enhance the efficiency of Belarus’ energy system, increase its resilience, and ensure its balanced development. This is achieved through the formation of three independent subprograms. “The first subprogram is related to improving the energy efficiency of the country’s economy. It includes measures linked to reducing the GDP energy intensity. The next subprogram is Increasing Energy Self-Sufficiency. It is aimed at utilizing the energy resources available in our country: local fuel types, renewable energy sources, and, of course, BelNPP. The third subprogram is dedicated to the balanced development of the energy complex and provides for the modernization of energy resource generation facilities (boiler houses and power plants), as well as significant modernization of the electrical grid infrastructure,” the minister said.

Denis Moroz also added that the state program includes specific targets to be achieved through its implementation. “One of the most important is ensuring energy self-sufficiency. Its target value is set at 33%. This means that in the fuel and energy balance, 33% of the energy produced in the Republic of Belarus must be generated using domestic energy sources. Furthermore, in terms of improving energy efficiency, a reduction in GDP energy intensity by 4% over the five-year period is stipulated. Improved efficiency means reduced costs, which in turn will lead to increased competitiveness, expanded markets, and higher incomes for businesses and the population,” the minister said. He also noted that the program envisages the reconstruction of heating networks. Approximately 15% of heating networks are slated for renovation. Modern pipes will be used, which allow for maintaining very low thermal energy losses in the distribution network over an extended period.

The minister pointed out that the most serious challenge for the energy system is the impact of the external environment. “Within the state program, the reconstruction of the electrical grid infrastructure is planned to enhance the system’s resilience. This reconstruction aims to solve two main tasks. Primarily, to increase the reliability and stability of the energy system and its ability to withstand adverse weather conditions. The second important component of the reconstruction is linked to the fact that the construction of BelNPP has led to a significant increase in demand for electrical energy. The president noted at the Belarusian People’s Congress that while there is a nuclear power plant, the networks are too weak to deliver this energy to the end consumer. Therefore, within the state program, we have planned a large-scale modernization of the electrical grid infrastructure,” said Denis Moroz. Thus, over the next five-year period, it is planned to reconstruct approximately 18,500 km of power grids.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that the use of other energy sources is also being developed. “Peat is a national asset for the Republic of Belarus. We are not abandoning it. It contains a significant amount of valuable substances. Today, peat is not only used for energy purposes; it is gaining new life because we are beginning to use it in new directions. For example, we are actively developing deeper peat processing. That is, we obtain humates from peat, the most concentrated natural elements contained in peat. Similar products of Belarusian manufacture can already be seen today in gardening stores. We are also conducting serious experiments on the large-scale industrial application of peat in agriculture, both as feed additives, which significantly increase agricultural efficiency, and in agro-cultures,” the minister said.

Peat is used in other areas as well, the minister stressed. Demand for Belarusian peat products grows yearly, with exports reaching more markets.