Karankevich: BelNPP is a key factor in changing the fuel and energy balance of Belarus

Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Viktor Karankevich during his speech at the discussion session “Multi-vector in energy: Ariadne’s thread to a sustainable future” within the framework of the Russian Energy Week assessed the change in the country’s energy sector with the commissioning of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant. He noted that the Belarusian NPP set a track for the growth of energy consumption in the country, but at the same time, the republic faces the task of increasing the share of local fuels in the fuel and energy sector.

The implemented project for the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is the most technologically advanced and large-scale project in Belarusian-Russian relations, said Viktor Karankevich.

- And it is probably the main or key moment in changing the fuel and energy balance of the Republic of Belarus, which was traditionally formed based on the utilization of generating capacities to meet the domestic needs of the country. And in this structure of balance, there was traditionally a structure that was formed based on traditional generation facilities: condensation, thermal power plants, mini-CHP, boiler houses and renewable energy sources. Taking into account the commissioning of the nuclear power plant, which we built together with our strategic partner, Rosatom, the structure of this balance has changed significantly. Already, 40% of the electricity consumed in our country is produced at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the deputy prime minister said.

He stressed that with the commissioning of the Belarusian NPP, conditions were also created to increase electricity consumption in the country as a whole. Nevertheless, gas generation also remains an important element of Belarus’ energy balance.

- Separately, we can say about local fuels, which are also developing. Their share, the share of renewable energy sources in the country is growing every year. But, in principle, our task is that the nuclear power plant, gas generation and renewable energy sources should complement each other, forming an optimal balance. And the share of renewable energy sources will also grow to 33% by 2030, Viktor Karankevich said.

He separately noted that the Belarusian NPP set a track for the growth of electricity consumption in the country. New directions have appeared that create conditions for improving the quality of life of citizens, developing new directions.

- In the future, we are also considering the further development of the nuclear power plant. In 2005, it was decided to consider the possibility of building a third power unit. We are actively working on this with Rosatom. And in the long term, if we look into 2045-2050, then the issue of building a second nuclear power plant is being considered and studied, the deputy prime minister concluded. Belarus has more than 73 thousand units of electric transport – Karankevich