Renewable Energy
The National programme for the development of local and renewable energy sources in 2011-2015 (adopted by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No.586 of May 10, 2011) provide data about RES potential. Estimated technical RES potential in Belarus is about 80 Mio. toe, which notably exceeds Belarus total energy consumption. For different RES technologies this potential is assessed as follows:
- Wind energy installed capacity potential: 1600 MW
- Hydroenergy installed capacity potential: 850 MW
- Biogas-fired power plants: 850 MW
- Biomass energy installed capacity potential: 2-3,000 MW
- Solar energy potential: more than 50,000 GWh.
Since 2013 up to 2018 the renewable energy sources account for roughly 6% in the pattern of total primary energy supply (TPES). Wood is the main renewable energy souce which is explained by the large forest area (40%) in Belarus.
Legal framework and national development programmes
The use of renewable energy is defined in two main directives since 2010:
The law “On Renewable Energy Sources” (No.204-Z of Dec 27, 2010) defines the main terms in this area, state policy principles, state bodies, rights and responsibilities of producers of energy from renewable energy sources. Also the feed-in price tariffs for energy from renewable sources into the national grid and it´s monitoring is regulated. In addition the Strategy of Energy Potential Development in the Republic of Belarus is addressing general problems of promoting the use of energy resources in the country and sets targets, objectives and area for using renewable energy sources.
The law of the Republic of Belarus “On Energy Conservation” (No.239-Z of Jan 8, 2015) with the basic principles to create a system of financial and economic mechanisms that provide economic incentives to producers and users for the efficient use of fuel and energy resources, the use of unconventional and renewable energy sources in the fuel and energy sector, as well as the investment of funds in energy saving activities. The strategy of using local energy sources (e.g. wood) is defined in the State Programme for Building Energy Sources Powered by Local Fuels in 2010–2015.
Issues
Belarus has achieved a certain amount of progress in the development of the regulatory framework and provision of state support for renewable energy, e.g. the law “on renewable Energy Sources”. On the other hand, in several analytical papers (e.g., Case Study: UNDP/GEF Project “Removing Barriers to Energy Efficiency Improvements in the State Sector in Belarus”) some barriers are identified that do not encourage potential investors:
- Low incentives for businesses and investors
- Lacking regulations and technical norms
- Lack of knowledge and experience
- Underdeveloped infrastructure
Last update: 06 2022