Belarus plans to import 1 billion kW of electricity from Ukraine in 2015

The Belarusian Energy Ministry will consider importing 1 billion kW of electricity from Ukraine in 2015, Belarus’ First Deputy Energy Minister Leonid Shenets told reporters in the run-up to the third plenary session of the Belarusian-German Energy Forum, BelTA has learned.

"We are considering the possibility of importing 1 billion kW of electricity from Ukraine next year, but the final decision will be made in November and December," said Leonid Shenets. Negotiations with the suppliers are currently underway. "Contracts are usually signed in November or December," he added.

In 2015 Belarus plans to import 2.5 billion kW of electricity.

In an interview with BelTA earlier, Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik said that the plans to purchase 2.5 billion kWh of electricity are not final. "This figure will be finalized taking into account the ongoing upgrade effort and the need to ensure reliable operation of the Belarusian energy system," the head of the ministry said. He added that the volumes will be fine-tuned as everything depends on the price. "The price will be negotiated, and taking into account the existing work to upgrade the Belarusian energy system, it has been declining steadily," stated the minister.

The minister noted that the Belarusian energy market influences the general pricing process.

Belarus annually reduces the import of electricity. In 2014, the import was reduced by almost half compared with 2012. This trend is expected to remain in place.

According to Belenergo, Belarus’ plans to become self-sufficient in terms of electricity production are feasible given the ongoing modernization: gradually the existing facilities are upgraded and the new ones are built to produce more electricity without increasing and even reducing fuel input.

Today Belarus is the CIS leader in terms of reduction of fuel input to produce electricity. In January-August this figure decreased from 274.6 grams of fuel equivalent to produce 1 kWh down to 256.1 grams per 1 kWh. The level of wear and tear of the fixed assets decreased by 60.7% in 2005 to 41% in 2013.