Renewable Energy
Belarus is actively working to develop its renewable energy sector. The government has set targets for the development of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass, and biogas. The country has implemented several policies and incentives to promote the development of renewable energy projects, including feed-in tariffs, tax exemptions, and investment subsidies.
As of 2021, Belarus has a total installed capacity of about 400 MW of renewable energy, which accounts for less than 2% of its total electricity generation. However, the country has significant potential for further development of renewable energy sources. According to estimates, Belarus has the potential to generate up to 40% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Legal framework and national development programmes
The use of renewable energy is defined in two main directives since 2010:
The law “On Renewable Energy Sources” (No.204-Z of Dec 27, 2010) defines the main terms in this area, state policy principles, state bodies, rights and responsibilities of producers of energy from renewable energy sources. Also the feed-in price tariffs for energy from renewable sources into the national grid and it´s monitoring is regulated. In addition the Strategy of Energy Potential Development in the Republic of Belarus is addressing general problems of promoting the use of energy resources in the country and sets targets, objectives and area for using renewable energy sources.
The law of the Republic of Belarus “On Energy Conservation” (No.239-Z of Jan 8, 2015) with the basic principles to create a system of financial and economic mechanisms that provide economic incentives to producers and users for the efficient use of fuel and energy resources, the use of unconventional and renewable energy sources in the fuel and energy sector, as well as the investment of funds in energy saving activities. The strategy of using local energy sources (e.g. wood) is defined in the State Programme for Building Energy Sources Powered by Local Fuels in 2010–2015.
Issues
Belarus has achieved a certain amount of progress in the development of the regulatory framework and provision of state support for renewable energy, e.g. the law “on renewable Energy Sources”. On the other hand, in several analytical papers (e.g., Case Study: UNDP/GEF Project “Removing Barriers to Energy Efficiency Improvements in the State Sector in Belarus”) some barriers are identified that do not encourage potential investors:
- Low incentives for businesses and investors
- Lacking regulations and technical norms
- Lack of knowledge and experience
- Underdeveloped infrastructure
Last update: 07 2023