Renewable energy in Belarus

As of 2021, there is little renewable energy in Belarus.[1] 7% of primary energy in Belarus was from renewables in 2019, mostly biofuels.[1]: 40  As there is a lot of district heating, more renewables could be integrated into the heat distribution system,[1]: 44  but this is hindered by fossil fuel subsidies.[1]: 62 

Policy

A 2021 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recommended:[1]: 11–14 

  1. Revising renewable energy targets
  2. Improving the quota allocation for renewables
  3. Designing renewable energy auctions
  4. Harnessing renewable energy potentials in heating
  5. Developing an energy sector master plan with higher shares of renewables
  6. Adopting a grid code for renewables
  7. Improving variable renewable power generation forecasting
  8. Improving de-risking mechanisms for renewable energy investments
  9. Standardising power purchase agreements
  10. Building human and institutional capacities for renewable energy development

Producers

About half of the energy is produced by independent power producers.[1]: 34 

Economics

In 2019, energy imports cost 5.5% of the national GDP, which could be reduced by increasing renewable energy production. According to IRENA, increasing renewable energy production would also create jobs and increase energy security.[1]

Sources of energy

Biomass

There is large potential from wood waste, crop residue, and biogas from manure;[1]: 40–41  About 10% of district heating is biomass.[1]: 29 

Solar power

This section is an excerpt from Solar power in Belarus.[edit]

As of 2021 there is little use of solar power in Belarus but much potential as part of the expansion of renewable energy in Belarus, as the country has few fossil fuel resources and imports much of its energy.[2] At the end of 2019 there was just over 150MW produced by solar power.[2]: 29 

Wind power

This section is an excerpt from Wind power in Belarus.[edit]

Wind power in Belarus is a form of renewable energy, which along with solar power, is one of the most important sectors of renewable energy in Belarus, but remains underutilized as of 2021. As of 2019, there is one 106 MW wind farm.[3]: 29  New wind power is hindered by government quotas[4] and the lack of auctions.[3]

Geothermal

Although the crust below Belarus is not hot enough for electricity generation it may be possible to integrate geothermal energy into district heating.[1]: 44 

Hydroelectricity

Although small hydroelectric power plants were common before the national grid, there is now less than 100MW produced, since Belarus is mostly flat.[1]: 30 

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Renewables Readiness Assessment: Belarus". /publications/2021/Jul/Renewables-Readiness-Assessment-Belarus. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  2. ^ a b "Renewables Readiness Assessment: Belarus". /publications/2021/Jul/Renewables-Readiness-Assessment-Belarus. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  3. ^ a b "Renewables Readiness Assessment: Belarus". /publications/2021/Jul/Renewables-Readiness-Assessment-Belarus. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  4. ^ Novikau, Aliaksandr (2022-01-01). "Current challenges and prospects of wind energy in Belarus". Renewable Energy. 182: 1049–1059. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.11.011. ISSN 0960-1481. S2CID 243918286.
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