Modernization of power grid infrastructure identified as priority task in Belarus

MINSK, 13 September (BelTA) – Modernization of power grid infrastructure is one of the most important tasks for energy providers in the current five-year term, BelTA learned from Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich.

About 1,600-1,700km of power grids was reconstructed in Belarus every year in the past. The figure will be raised to 3,000km per annum in the near future. The figure does not include the construction of new power lines.

Viktor Karankevich noted: “Design, construction, and installation organizations have been instructed to do it. We need to modernize more power grids every year for the sake of heating and hot water supply to the population and for the sake of development of the real sector of the economy and the manufacturing sector.”

Belarus' electricity consumption increased by about 1 billion kWh in H1 2023. The real sector of the economy accounted for most of the increase.

Viktor Karankevich went on saying: “It is necessary to enable conditions not only for the development of existing manufacturing enterprises but for the establishment of new ones by means of modernizing power grids and substations with different voltage classes, including in free economic zones. There are plans to finish four projects in free economic zones with state support this year.”