Sustainable energy

published 05.08.2021 16:57

Together with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Department of Energy Efficiency of the Gosstandart and the Republican governmental authorities, as well as public organizations, prepared a survey “Renewables use readiness assessment for Belarus” (hereinafter referred to as the Survey) for 2020 - 2021.

The Survey analyses the potential of Belarus for further development of renewable energy sector, including as regards the analysis of the status and prospects of use of other types of fuel and energy resources (oil, gas, nuclear energy, etc.). The implementation of the recommendations included in the Survey will contribute to improving the image of the Republic of Belarus in the world, attracting credit and grant funds for investment projects and international technical assistance projects, as well as fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 7 “Affordable and Clean Energy for All”.

IRENA made the following recommendations to improve the development of renewables use in the country:

– revise the targets for renewables in the Energy Security Concept of the Republic of Belarus;

– improve the system of quotas for renewables and move towards auctions;

– draft and adopt a law on heat supply;

– assess the potential of biomass (biomass and waste into energy technology) and geothermal energy;

– adopt a grid standard for integrating solar and wind energy into the energy system;

– improve risk mitigation mechanisms for investments in renewables;

– standardize power purchase agreements;

– account for electricity for own needs of enterprises and organizations in national statistics.

The Survey was launched on July 29, 2021, in on-line format with the participation of Francesco La Camera, the Director-General of IRENA, Mikhail Malashenko, the Deputy Chairman of Gosstandart – Director of the Department of Energy Efficiency, Boleslav Pirshtuk, the first Deputy Minister of natural resources and environmental protection, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, representatives of public and consultancy organizations.

The full version of the Survey in English and a brief translation of the recommendations for Belarus in Russian are available at http://energoeffekt.gov.by/news/news_2021/20210729_new1. The full version of the Survey in Russian will be ready in September 2021, and posted on the website of the Department of Energy Efficiency of Gosstandart.