Belarus, Poland to discuss infrastructure for electricity export

 Belarus and Poland will discuss a possibility to build infrastructure to export electric energy, Belarus’ Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told reporters on 21 December, BelTA has learned.

“The nuclear power plant project is designed, first of all, to fully meet the country’s electricity needs. If we get an opportunity to export electric energy, we will be able to sell it to Ukraine, the Baltic states, and the Russian Federation. These destinations are under consideration so far. As far as Poland is concerned, there is a possibility to resume the operation of the existing power grid. If Poland is interested, we will consider all options, like renovation of this power grid or construction of a new one,” Viktor Karankevich said. He noted that such decisions should be based on economic considerations.

According to Belenergo Director General Pavel Drozd, the construction of a HVDC scheme will cost around $60 million. The final source of financing will be determined when the parties embark on the project implementation.

Viktor Karankevich informed that this year Belarus increased electricity export up to 1 billion kWh, up 7 times over 2017. In his words, the Energy Ministry wants to continue supplying Belarusian electricity to the Nord Pool power market after the commissioning of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.