Energy Sources Of Belarus: A Comprehensive Overview

Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe that is highly dependent on Russia for its energy supply. Belarus has a diverse industrial profile and a strong manufacturing and export sector, but it lacks natural resources and is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia. The country's energy sector is dominated by state-owned companies, and the government believes that maintaining control over the sector will ensure a stable and secure energy supply. Belarus has built its first nuclear power plant, which will enhance its energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The country also has well-developed industrial infrastructure for peat production and is a world leader in peat briquette production.

Belarus's energy security

Belarus is a net energy importer, with its energy imports vastly exceeding its energy production. The country is one of the world's least energy-sufficient countries, relying heavily on Russia to meet its energy needs. Belarus's energy sector is dominated by state-owned companies, with the government believing that having control over the sector will guarantee a secure and stable energy supply.

The country's energy strategy is focused on reducing import dependency, particularly on natural gas from Russia, by developing local energy sources, introducing nuclear power, decreasing overall consumption, and reducing the amount of natural gas in the energy mix. Belarus has set a long-term development goal of satisfying the energy needs of its economy and households by promoting the effective use of energy sources and reducing the environmental burden.

To enhance energy security, Belarus has constructed its first nuclear power plant, with a total output capacity of 2,400 MW. The country also has two large gas pipelines, Yamal-Europe and Northern Lights, and the Minsk-Kaliningrad Interconnection connecting to Kaliningrad. Belarus is a significant oil refiner, ranked 36th in the world, with two refineries and oil pipelines built during the Soviet era.

The country's gas transportation system, with a total length of over 67,000 km, enables it to supply the necessary amount of natural gas to meet consumer demand. Belarus also has commercial peat reserves of approximately 302.1 million tonnes and is a top peat producer and briquette exporter. The share of peat in the country's fuel and energy consumption mix is around 3%, allowing for the substitution of about 450 million cubic meters of imported natural gas annually.

Belarus's energy policy aims to secure reliable and sustainable energy while reducing energy import dependence and improving the energy sector's financial stability. The country has introduced a green feed-in tariff to attract investment in renewables, and it is improving energy efficiency in electricity and heat production. However, Belarus faces challenges in energy security due to its high dependence on Russian energy imports.

Energy imports and exports

Belarus is a net energy importer, with energy imports vastly exceeding energy production. In 2018, Belarus consumed 27 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in total primary energy supply, yet only 15% of this demand was met by domestic production, making Belarus one of the least energy self-sufficient countries in the world.

Belarus relies heavily on Russia for its energy needs, with Russian supplies accounting for 90% of total energy imports. However, Belarus has set a strategic goal to reduce this dependence on Russian energy sources to 70% by 2035. This is to be achieved by developing local energy sources, introducing nuclear power, decreasing overall consumption, and reducing the amount of natural gas in the energy mix.

In 2018, Belarus imported 17 Mtoe (20 billion cubic metres) of natural gas, making it one of the world's largest importers of natural gas. It also imported similar quantities of crude oil (17 Mtoe), although most of this was re-exported as oil products (11.4 Mtoe). Russia is the main supplier of crude oil to Belarus, and in turn, Belarus is Ukraine's primary supplier of oil products.

Belarus is a significant player in the global oil refining industry, ranking 36th in the world in 2018 with 19 million tonnes of oil products. The country has two refineries and oil pipelines built during the Soviet era, including the Mozyr Oil Refinery. Belarus also has the world's third-largest production of peat and is a leader in peat briquette production, with commercial peat reserves totalling an estimated 302.1 million tonnes. Peat accounts for around 3% of the country's fuel and energy consumption mix, allowing for the substitution of about 450 million cubic metres of imported natural gas annually.

In addition to its energy imports, Belarus also imports machinery, rolled metal, chemical products, and foodstuffs. At the same time, it exports refined petroleum, machinery, trucks, tractors, potassium chloride, metals, and foodstuffs.

Energy production

Belarus is a net energy importer, with its energy imports vastly exceeding its energy production in 2015. The country is one of the world's least energy-sufficient countries, relying on Russia for most of its energy and fossil fuel requirements. However, Belarus does have some domestic energy production, including oil, natural gas, peat, and electricity.

Oil

Belarus has oil deposits in the Pripyat basin, with several active oil fields and 59 more under development. The country had 27 Mt of crude oil reserves and 30 Mt of recoverable resources according to 2012 estimates. Oil accounted for at least 80% of annual energy production in 2020. Belarus also has two oil refineries and oil pipelines built during the Soviet era, including the Mozyr Oil Refinery. In 2021, the country consumed 49.13 million barrels of oil, with 12.52 million barrels produced and the rest imported.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a significant source of energy for Belarus, with nearly all electricity generation in 2018 coming from natural gas (97%, or 39 terawatt-hours [TWh]). Belarus is one of the world's largest importers of natural gas, with an estimated import of 17 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) or 20 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2018. The country has natural gas reserves estimated at 3 billion cubic meters (bcm) and recoverable resources at 10 bcm.

Peat

Belarus is a world leader in peat production, with well-developed industrial infrastructure and fuel suppliers. The country has commercial peat reserves totaling an estimated 302.1 million tonnes, and peat production was 0.551 Mtoe in 2018. The share of peat in the country's fuel and energy consumption mix is around 3%, allowing for the substitution of about 450 million cubic meters of imported natural gas annually.

Electricity

Belarus's electricity generation amounted to 39.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2022, with a consumption of 38.6 billion kWh. The country has built its first nuclear power plant, with a total output capacity of two power-generating units at 2,400 MW. Belarus also has a gas transportation system over 67,000 km long, enabling the supply of natural gas to meet consumer demand. Additionally, the country has a vertically integrated national energy company, BelEnergo, that operates in the electricity sector.

Energy consumption

Belarus's total energy consumption was 27.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2018, comparable to consumption in Norway and Hungary. The country's primary energy use in 2008 was 327 terawatt-hours (TWh), or 34 TWh per million people. In 2009, primary energy use per capita was 34 megawatt-hours (MWh), slightly more than in Portugal (26 MWh) and about half of the use in Belgium (64 MWh) or Sweden (62 MWh).

In 2021, Belarus consumed 18.64 billion cubic meters of natural gas, with only 0.06 billion produced domestically, making it one of the world's largest importers of natural gas. The country also imported crude oil, with consumption amounting to 49.13 million barrels in 2021, while producing 12.52 million barrels.

The industry sector is the largest final energy consumer in Belarus, accounting for 36% (7.3 Mtoe) of total energy consumption in 2018. The residential sector is the second-largest, with a 27% share (5.2 Mtoe) in the same year. Since 2000, the transport sector has seen the largest increase in energy demand, with consumption 80% higher in 2018 than in 2000.

Belarus's electricity consumption has also been significant. In 2021, the country consumed 32.67 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, amounting to 3,547 kWh per capita. In 2022, electricity consumption totalled 38.6 billion kWh, while generation reached 39.4 billion kWh.

The country has taken steps towards renewable energy sources, with renewables accounting for 6% of its energy mix in 2018, increasing to 8% in 2020, primarily from biofuels and waste. However, the share of renewable energy in electricity generation remains lower, at 2% in 2018 (0.8 TWh).

Energy sources

Belarus is a net energy importer and is dependent on Russia for most of its energy and fossil fuel requirements. In 2018, only 15% of the country's energy demand was met by domestic production, making Belarus one of the least energy self-sufficient countries in the world.

The country's primary energy sources are natural gas, oil, and peat. In 2018, nearly all electricity generation came from natural gas (97%, or 39 terawatt hours [TWh]), but this is expected to decrease with the introduction of nuclear power. Belarus has two large gas pipelines, the Yamal–Europe pipeline and Northern Lights, and the Minsk–Kaliningrad Interconnection that connects to Kaliningrad.

The country has some oil deposits in the Pripyat basin, with 27 Mt of crude oil reserves and 30 Mt of recoverable resources, according to 2012 estimates. Belarus is a large oil refiner, ranked 36th in the world, with two refineries and oil pipelines built during the Soviet era, including the Mozyr Oil Refinery. In 2021, the country consumed 49.13 million barrels of oil, with 12.52 million barrels produced and the rest imported.

Peat is another important energy source for Belarus, which is one of the world's largest producers. The country has well-developed industrial infrastructure for the peat industry, and peat briquettes are used as fuel. In 2018, peat production in Belarus was 0.551 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe).

In addition to these primary energy sources, Belarus also has some renewable energy sources, mainly biofuels and waste, which accounted for 6% of the country's energy mix in 2018, rising to 8% in 2020. The country is also introducing nuclear power, with the construction of its first nuclear power plant, which will have a total output capacity of 2,400 MW.

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