Belarusian power grid modernization continues

MINSK, 11 October (BelTA) – Power grid modernization continues in Belarus, BelTA learned from Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich as the Belarusian Energy and Ecology Forum opened in Minsk on 11 October.

When asked whether the realization of investment projects has been adjusted, the energy minister said that the realization of all the planned projects continues. “Commissioning the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is the key task for the power engineering industry. The construction of peaking and backup energy sources continues. There are plans to deploy highly mobile power generating equipment with the total output capacity of 800MW. The work proceeds at four major power plants – the Bereza and Lukoml state district powers, the Novopolotsk cogeneration plant, and Minsk cogeneration plant No.5,” Viktor Karankevich said.

One of the high priority tasks of the power engineering industry is to modernize the power grid in order to satisfy the growing demand for electricity of industrial enterprises, including free economic zones, and households, which need electricity for heating and hot water supply. The modernization of high-voltage substations, high-voltage and distribution power lines is in progress in all parts of the country.

Among other things the official mentioned the reconstruction of the 750kV high-voltage substation Belorusskaya (the country's largest) and the reconstruction of the 220kV substation Stolbtsy for the sake of converting it into a 330kV substation. There are plans to commission two 110kV substations soon – Auls in Grodno Oblast and Brest-Zapadnaya. These efforts are meant to improve the reliability of power supply for consumers. The work will allow enabling additional conditions for the development of the regions, the energy minister pointed out.