BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

11/03/2009

Transit of Ukrainian electricity via Belarus to Lithuania unlikely in2009 - Belenergo

MINSK. March 11 (Interfax) - The start of Ukrainian electricity transit to Lithuania via Belarusian territory in 2009 is unlikely, the first deputy general director of Belenergo, Alexander Sivak, told journalists in Minsk on Wednesday.

"In 2009, the implementation of transit is unlikely. Lithuania still does not have high demands since the shutdown of the block at Ignalin nuclear power plant (NPP) is slated for December 30," he said, adding that the issue of transit to Lithuania was in constant development.

He said that the "issue was not simple", adding that the technical means were available for performing transit.

It was earlier reported that Lithuania was supposed to decommission the Ignalin NPP in December 2009 and therefore has been in negotiations with Ukraine for electricity supply starting from 2010. The supply route should run through Belarus. Lithuania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine plan to sign an agreement for supply of Ukrainian electricity to Lithuania via Belarus.

Commenting on the possible import of Ukrainian electricity by Belarus, Sivak said that Russian electricity is currently less expensive. He added, however, that negotiations with Ukraine are still underway.

He added that Belarus' electricity import needs are at least put at 2.5 billion kilowatt hours. Sivak added that import is necessary in order to carry out repairs on the Belarusian power system so that it can work at full capacity.

In addition, he said that it was more inexpensive for Belarus to acquire imported electricity. "This year we will receive around 4 billion kilowatt hours," Sivak said.

Source:

http://www.interfax.com/3/478197/news.aspx

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