In 2025, the electricity consumption in Belarus sees a division between fossil-based and low-carbon sources. Fossil energy accounts for a little more than half of the total electricity consumption, with gas being the dominant fossil source, making up almost half of that. Low-carbon energy, collectively making up more than 40% of the consumption, is primarily driven by nuclear energy, which alone accounts for close to 39%. Hydropower, albeit a smaller contributor, adds around 3%, while wind energy is still in its nascent stage contributing barely above 1%. It is encouraging to see nuclear making such a significant impact, underscoring the importance of expanding this clean energy source.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, Energy Institute and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Belarus?
However, there are concerns regarding the overall electricity consumption trends in Belarus. The total electricity consumption per person has seen a decline, dropping from a high of 5092 kWh/person in 2024 to 4926 kWh/person in 2025, a decrease of around 166 kWh/person. Despite this, there is a bright side with low-carbon electricity generation experiencing growth. Per person, it moved up from 1990 kWh in 2024 to 2167 kWh in 2025, an increase of 177 kWh. This shift signifies Belarus's commitment to cleaner electricity but also highlights the urgent need to boost total consumption to align with modern electrification demands and the anticipated rise in electricity usage driven by AI advancements.
Suggestions
To significantly increase clean electricity generation, Belarus should prioritize the expansion of its nuclear facilities, given their substantial contribution to the current energy mix. Additionally, Belarus could draw inspiration from countries and regions leading in clean electricity generation. For nuclear, France and Slovakia are exemplary, producing around two-thirds of their electricity from this source. In the wind sector, Lithuania generates 35% from wind energy, which could be a relevant model for Belarus, given regional similarities. For diversification into solar, North Macedonia’s 49% solar share illustrates an impressive opportunity, albeit a step beyond current capacities, it serves as an aspirational benchmark. Building on successful practices from these regions can guide Belarus towards a more sustainable and robust low-carbon electricity network.
History
Looking back at Belarus’s history in low-carbon electricity generation, notable progress is observed primarily in the 2020s. In 2021, the surge with nuclear energy was remarkable with an increase of 5.4 TWh, despite a minor temporary decline in 2022. The subsequent years saw further substantial boosts in nuclear power, particularly in 2023 with an additional 7.1 TWh, and 4.8 TWh in 2024, culminating in another 0.4 TWh increase in 2025. Small yet steady contributions from hydro and wind have been noticed on occasion, such as the 0.7 TWh increase in hydro and 0.4 TWh in wind in 2025. This trajectory showcases Belarus's increasing reliance on nuclear energy as part of its clean electricity mix, forging a pathway towards greater sustainability. However, the Ukrainian crisis and other regional challenges remind us of the potential risks and need for a diversified energy mix centered on low-carbon options.
