Annual economic effect of Belarusian power grid modernization close to $200m

The economic effect secured by the modernization of the Belarusian power grid will be close to $200 million per year, BelTA learned from Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik during the solemn opening ceremony of the 20th Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum on 13 October.

According to the source, 2,350MW worth of new power-generating installations has been commissioned thanks to the implementation of two government programs designed to guide the modernization of the Belarusian power grid in 2006-2014. About 3 million tonnes of reference fuel was saved during the period. The reliability of the power grid’s operation has been greatly improved. The total economic effect of the two programs is estimated at about $600 million. This effect will be about $200 million every year starting from 2015.

Speaking about the forum, the Belarusian Energy Minister underlined that the forum represents an excellent platform for discussing the development of the power engineering industry, energy effectiveness improvement, the accomplishment of energy-saving and ecological tasks. The forum is aimed at assimilating innovative technologies, reinforcing cooperation between Belarusian and foreign companies, attracting foreign investments into the country. The Belarus government pays close attention to the development of the fuel and energy complex as well as the enhancement of energy security and the improvement of the Belarusian power grid’s effectiveness.

The 20th Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum is scheduled to take place in Minsk on 13-16 October. This year the forum features an international specialized expo showcasing power engineering, ecology, energy saving accomplishments (EnergyExpo) in addition to an energy and ecology congress. Participants of the forum are in for an intense business program comprising 20 events. The forum is held concurrently with the 79th General Assembly of the International Electrotechnical Commission.

EnergyExpo features products and services of about 300 companies from 15 countries, including Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Czechia, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, and China. For the first time every 32 innovation companies from China are taking part in the expo. Foreign exhibitors constitute 20% of the total number of participants.

The expo has sections dedicated to the Belarusian Energy Ministry, the Industry Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, the Housing and Utilities Ministry, the State Science and Technology Committee, the Energy Effectiveness Department of the State Standardization Committee. For instance, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry intends to present a new concept for the sustainable development of cities and districts.

The Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum is supposed to demonstrate achievements of science, engineering, and technology in the areas of power engineering, energy saving, automation, electronics, environmental protection, and the usage of renewable sources of energy.