As of 2021, there was little renewable energy in Belarus, but a lot of potential.[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 that,[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 from independent power producers.[1]: 34 

Economics

In 2019, energy imports cost 5.5% of GDP, and this could be reduced by increasing renewable energy. According to IRENA this would also create jobs and increase energy security.[1]: 53 

Environment

In 2019, two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions were from energy, and this could be reduced by increasing renewable energy.[1]: 53 

Sources

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

Solar potential of Belarus
As of 2021 there is little 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 energy.[2] At the end of 2019 there was just over 150MW.[2]: 29 

Wind power

Wind generator near Hrabnyky
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Wind power in Belarus remains underutilized as of 2021 despite its significant potential.[3] Together with solar power, wind power is the most important sector of renewable energy in Belarus. As of 2019, there is one 106MW wind farm.[3]: 29  New wind power is hindered by government quotas[4] and the lack of auctions.[3]

Geothermal

Although not hot enough for electricity generation it may be possible to integrate geothermal into district heating.[1]: 44 

Hydroelectricity

Although small power plants were common before the national grid there is now less than 100MW of hydroelectricity, because the country is flat.[1]: 30 

External links

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "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 c "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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