Belarus plans to import 2.5-2.8bn kWh of electricity annually until 2018

Belarus plans to import 2.5-2.8 billion kWh of electricity annually until 2018, First Deputy Energy Minister Leonid Shenets told a press conference, BelTA has learned.

"In 2015 Belarus will import 2.5-2.8 billion kWh of electricity. We will continue to import such amounts until 2018,” Leonid Shenets said.

He noted that Belarus is in the middle of implementing a big investment project to build a nuclear power plant. The first unit is scheduled to be commissioned in 2018. In 2018 Belarus plans to stop importing electricity. With the plant in operation, the country will use the most efficient electricity-generating facilities with the least fuel input to produce 1kWh of electricity.

Leonid Shenets also noted that the Belarusian energy system is working to reduce the use of imported natural gas. In 2014 alone the specific power consumption was reduced by 9.3g per 1 kWh of electricity.

Belarus annually reduces the import of electricity. According to the Energy Ministry, in 2014 Belarus’ import was twice as little as in 2012. The country imported 7.9 billion kWh in 2012, 6.7 billion kWh in 2013, and 3.8 billion kWh in 2014.