“We made a mistake”: why Europe was disappointed in green energy, and Belarus relied on nuclear energy

The action “Belarus is an Energy Efficient Country” dedicated to the International Energy Saving Day has ended in Belarus. The correspondent of the Minsk-Novosti agency suggested looking at the nuances of green energy from a different angle.

The photo is illustrative in nature

Illuminations of the great scientist

First of all, it should be recalled that the development of alternative or green energy in Belarus began in the mid-1990s without becoming large-scale. It's primarily about expediency. What's behind that definition? Honored Scientist of Belarus, who was engaged in the issues of alternative energy sources and was ahead of time on a number of issues, Professor Georgy Novikov (deceased in 2004) stated at the time:

- Reasoning rationally, it becomes clear that Belarus is not adapted for the large-scale creation of hydropower plants, windmills and solar panels. Climate and landscape do not allow, it is a flat country. And if you make artificial dams on the Neman (and such plans were), then very soon it will flood all the surrounding fertile lands, and it will turn into a huge swamp. This is the way they went in Russia when they took up the Volga. As a result, the Volga region became a zone of environmental disaster.

Let's say more. In the 1990s, Europeans who came here to negotiate tried in every possible way to discourage Belarus from building its nuclear power plant, offering to massively install wind turbines, build hydropower plants, etc. Like it's a klondike. It was mentioned above why the Belarusian river electricity export was an impossible task.

As for the sun and wind, one thing is clear: they were not suitable for large-scale energy production then and now.

- Belarus is not a hot, wind-blown desert, Professor Novikov said more than 20 years ago. You can do a couple of local projects, nothing more

He said at all levels that the country needed a nuclear power plant.

And the fact that Belarus successfully operates its own modern nuclear power plant, the great Belarusian scientist-chemist would definitely be pleased. He always maintained that great science and political will must go hand in hand, "otherwise it is difficult to count on the end result.".

Alexander Lukashenko spoke about this in his speech at the VI All-Belarusian People’s Assembly in February 2021:

- In the energy sector, we have created conditions for the use of local fuels. Completed the largest construction project of the country - BelNPP. By introducing green standards in the work of enterprises, we have advanced in the field of ecology.

"We made a mistake" or self-exposure from the EU

And now let’s look at the European Union, where under the influence of the terrible stories about Chernobyl, a trend has formed for the wholesale closure of nuclear power units. Under the cries of “bravo”, a bet was made on green energy. Here are just two thoughts from a few months ago.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged the collapse of the long-term energy course:

- I believe Europe’s abandonment of a reliable, affordable, low-emission energy source was a strategic mistake.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz went further, saying:

- The abandonment of nuclear power was a major strategic failure. It was worth leaving the last nuclear power plants in Germany at least three years ago.

Belarusian contrast

The President of Belarus has repeatedly stressed that Belarus has come a long way in the development of nuclear energy - from a complete lack of competencies to readiness to build new power units, and not only in the republic.

For example, during a meeting with Uzbek Ambassador Rahmatullah Nazarov in March 2026, Alexander Lukashenko bluntly stated:

- We will support the construction of your nuclear power plant.

Photo by pixabay.com, illustrative

With all due respect to green energy, it turned out to be a beautiful pastoral picture, nothing more. At least on the scale of our country, from the point of view of domestic politicians and scientists. And yes. Of course, Belarusians will save electricity, but we will receive it mainly thanks to the peaceful atom, not wind turbines, sun and water. And in this scheme, traditional oil and gas will gradually fade into the background, freeing up the hands of the domestic economy.