In the year 2024, Belarus's electricity consumption leans significantly on fossil fuels, with almost 60% derived from gas, highlighting the country's dependence on these for energy needs. Despite this reliance, low-carbon or clean energy sources contribute more than a third of the total electricity generated. Predominantly, nuclear power stands out with 36% of electricity, marking it as a crucial part of Belarus's energy strategy. Other clean sources like biofuels and minor net imports play a role, though they comprise only a small portion of the energy mix, each contributing close to negligible percentages individually.
Is Electricity Growing in Belarus?
Electricity consumption in Belarus is on the rise, evidenced by the increase to 5092 kWh per person in 2024, surpassing the previous high set in 1991 of 4821 kWh per person. This growth reflects an increase of 271 kWh per person over the years. Low-carbon electricity, in particular, has seen a notable increase compared to last year, rising to 1990 kWh per person, which is up by 556 kWh per person from the previous record in 2023. This substantial rise underscores Belarus's progress in generating electricity through sustainable, low-carbon methods, although the potential for further development remains significant to fully transition towards cleaner energy.
Suggestions
To further increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Belarus should focus on expanding its successful nuclear capacity, already a cornerstone of its energy strategy. Looking at exemplary regions, countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the effectiveness of investing in nuclear energy to meet clean energy goals, with nuclear contributing 68% and 62% respectively to their electricity mix. Additionally, Belarus could benefit from exploring solar energy expansion, taking cues from regions like Cyprus and California where solar contributes a substantial share. Integrating successful practices from these regions could help bolster Belarus's clean energy portfolio and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating the negative impacts of pollution and climate change.
History
Historically, Belarus has seen various shifts in its low-carbon electricity generation. Starting with small yet consistent increases in biofuels, hydro, and solar energy contributions in the mid-to-late 2010s, more substantial advances were seen with the introduction of nuclear power. Nuclear electricity generation made a decisive stride forward in 2021 with a significant addition and continued to grow, culminating with impressive further production in 2023 and 2024. Though the minor decline in nuclear production in 2022 was concerning, the subsequent swift recovery and ongoing progress affirm Belarus's commitment to a sustainable and clean electricity future. This persistent growth trajectory highlights the country's acknowledgment of nuclear power's role in ensuring a cleaner energy transition.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.