BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

04/03/2007

Belarus formulates new energy security concept

Minsk, Mar 3 (NNN-BELTA) Belarus has designed a new energy security concept, first vice-premier of this country Vladimir Semashko has said today at a meeting of the board of the energy efficiency department of the State Standard Committee of Belarus.

The concept aims to adapt the economy to the new energy prices. The energy sector of the country consumes the biggest share of energy resources. Gas accounts for 95 per cent of the total energy resources consumed.

According to Vladimir Semashko, the government should bring order to its energy industry and enhance efficiency of the work of CHP plants.

Implementation of large-scale investment projects at Minsk CHP plants #3 and #5 as well as several other projects will help considerably reduce the volumes of fuel consumed to generate energy, he is convinced.

The new concept proposes to implement projects on upgrading the energy system in the shortest possible time. For this purpose Belarus may need 1.5 times more investments than it was planned earlier (the program by 2010 provides for attracting investments worth of US$2.6 billion).

To diversify its energy resources Belarus will build a nuclear power station and several coal-fired power stations. The share of local fuels, first of all wood and peat, in the energy balance will be increased.

The level of fuel consumption in Belarus makes 410 kilos in oil equivalent per $1 thousand of the GDP, while in Poland this index makes 210 kilos, in several other European states 140-150 kilos.

By 2010 Belarus plans to reach the level of 280-290 kilos per $1 thousand of the GDP.

Source:

http://www.indianmuslims.info/news/2007/march/04/economy/belarus_formulates_new_energy_security_concept.html