In Belarus, fossil fuels currently dominate electricity consumption, accounting for more than half of the total usage over the past year, specifically from April 2025 to March 2026. Gas alone constitutes nearly half of the total electricity consumed. On the greener side, low-carbon energy sources make up approximately 43% of Belarus's electricity mix. The most significant contributor to this segment is nuclear power, which almost reaches a noteworthy 38%. Other clean energy sources such as hydropower and wind contribute small fractions, around 2% and 1%, respectively. With such a mix, Belarus demonstrates a significant, yet not dominant, commitment to low-carbon energy compared to fossil fuel reliance.

Is Electricity Growing in Belarus?

The trend in electricity growth in Belarus appears to be stagnating, which is concerning. The most recent electricity consumption data from 2026 shows a per person usage of 4,955 kWh, which marks a decrease when compared to the all-time high set in 2024 at 5,092 kWh per person. Similarly, there is a slight decline in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which stands at 2,127 kWh in 2026, down from the 2025 peak of 2,167 kWh. The decrease in both overall and low-carbon electricity consumption indicates a need for renewed growth and focus on expanding cleaner energy sources to ensure sustainable electricity consumption increases.

Suggestions

To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Belarus could focus on expanding its nuclear energy facilities, given that nuclear already represents a significant portion of their low-carbon energy. Additionally, investing in solar energy could further diversify and strengthen the clean energy mix. Belarus could look to countries like France and Slovakia, which have successfully harnessed nuclear energy to deliver a significant percentage of their electricity. Moreover, learning from Lithuania's successful wind energy initiatives could be beneficial. Denmark's impressive wind energy output also suggests that further exploration of wind energy could complement solar and nuclear developments. By drawing lessons from these regions, Belarus can work towards a more sustainable and independent electricity future.

History

Looking back on the history of low-carbon electricity generation in Belarus, there have been significant fluctuations in recent years. Notably, the introduction of nuclear energy brought large gains in electricity generation from 2021 to 2023, during which nuclear experienced substantial growth. However, 2022 saw a temporary decline in nuclear output before recovering in 2023 and 2024. Most recently, in 2026, another slight drop in nuclear output has been recorded. Meanwhile, hydro and wind energy saw smaller increases in 2017 and 2019, with some decline afterward. The growth of wind and solar has been fairly modest over the years. Nevertheless, the continued focus on and expansion of nuclear energy is pivotal in ensuring that Belarus meets its clean energy goals efficiently.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Apr 2025 – Mar 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.