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Belarusian nuclear power plant seen as good stimulus for higher electricity consumption

MINSK, 31 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian nuclear power plant has become a good stimulus for an increase in electricity consumption in the country. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement in an interview with the Economy of Belarus magazine, BelTA has learned.

Electricity consumption by the real sector of the economy and by households is on the rise. The figure totaled 40.3 billion kWh in 2021, up by 2.3 billion kWh from 38 billion kWh in 2020. The government has calculated the potential for an increase in electricity consumption by the real sector and has adopted an interindustry complex of measures meant to increase electricity consumption, including by implementing investment projects in various branches of the economy. Its implementation is expected to increase electricity consumption by 2.7 billion kWh by 2026.

Once two units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are commissioned, the nuclear power plant will be able to generate about 18.5 billion kWh of electricity per year. It will be a substantial contribution to stronger energy security of the country. “We will get a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly source of energy with the service life of up to 100 years taking into account the practice of extending the service life of equipment of reactor units,” Viktor Karankevich noted.

According to forecasts of international research centers, nuclear energy industry is on the threshold of a new stage of its development: demand for peaceful uses of nuclear energy has increased considerably against the backdrop of the global energy crisis. “The global energy industry faces serious misbalances. It has forced the world’s leading countries to revise their energy policy, change priorities, including in favor of development of nuclear energy,” the Belarusian energy minister stated.

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