In the period from July 2024 to June 2025, Belarus's electricity consumption relied heavily on fossil fuels, with more than half of the electricity being produced from these sources. Specifically, gas accounted for around 55% of the total electricity production. In contrast, low-carbon energy sources, comprising nuclear, hydropower, and biofuels, collectively contributed to approximately 38% of the electricity generation. A significant portion of this was attributed to nuclear energy, which alone accounted for nearly 34.5%, while hydropower and biofuels contributed marginally, with each generating close to and slightly over 1% respectively. These figures highlight the dominant role of fossil fuels in the energy mix, although nuclear energy is also a substantial contributor.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Belarus?
Recent analysis indicates a downturn in electricity consumption in Belarus. After hitting a peak of 5092 kWh per person in 2024, the consumption dipped to 4852 kWh per person in 2025, marking a reduction by 240 kWh per person. Similarly, there has been a concerning decline in low-carbon electricity generation, which fell to 1844 kWh per person in 2025, a drop of 146 kWh from its peak the previous year. This decrease in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption raises concerns about Belarus's ability to sustainably increase electricity generation to meet future demands, especially considering the importance of electrification and technology developments like AI.
Suggestions
To propel the growth of low-carbon electricity generation, Belarus could expand its nuclear capabilities, given the significant contribution of nuclear energy to its current electricity mix. Learning from regions like France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy produces 69% and 67% of their electricity, respectively, could provide valuable insights into optimizing nuclear power operations. Additionally, emphasizing solar and wind energy is essential. Belarus could look to countries with successful solar integration like Lebanon and Nevada, or wind power leaders like Denmark and Lithuania, to gather innovative strategies for integrating these technologies efficiently. By focusing on these alternative, clean energies, Belarus has the potential to significantly enhance its low-carbon electricity production and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
History
The evolution of low-carbon electricity in Belarus reveals important trends and shifts, particularly in nuclear energy production. In 2021, nuclear energy saw a significant increase in output by 5.5 TWh, followed by fluctuating changes in the subsequent years. This instability continued with a sharp rise of 7.1 TWh in 2023, a further boost of 4.8 TWh in 2024, and a slight decline of 1.6 TWh in 2025. Smaller advances were also noted in hydropower and solar energy during the 2010s, but with minimal impact overall. These fluctuations, especially the apparent setbacks in 2022 and 2025, signify missed opportunities in achieving stable growth in clean energy, underscoring the urgent need for Belarus to engage in consistent and strategic development of its low-carbon electricity generation capacity.
