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16 November 2018, 13:37

Belarusian government looking into ways to encourage higher electricity usage

MINSK, 16 November (BelTA) – The Belarusian government is considering subsidizing options for the sake of encouraging households and companies to use more electricity, BelTA learned from Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lyashenko after a government conference held by the head of state on 16 November.

According to the source, an interagency group is working on proposals to encourage broader use of electricity in Belarus. One of the proposals suggests giving preferential rates on electricity to companies, which proprietary generators are getting worn out, in order to encourage them to switch to the national power grid.

Another option is encouraging households to heat water at night at cheaper rates. “Instead of burning natural gas they could switch to electricity. A discounted rate can be offered at nighttime. The sum is considerable. These options are being calculated,” said Igor Lyashenko.

“It is common knowledge that electricity is used virtually everywhere in Europe to heat buildings and water. We are working on this concept,” said the official.

On the whole, it is necessary to use as much of the country's own electricity as possible. The task will be handled in a comprehensive manner. Wider usage of electric stoves in Belarusian households is under consideration as well as the wider adoption of electric transport.

“We have a plan and understanding. The interagency working group is considering proposals. The plan will be reviewed at the level of the head of state in H1 2019. Sometime in the end of the first quarter,” said Igor Lyashenko.

Apart from that, participants of the government conference discussed proposals on improving the structure of the Energy Ministry and the national power grid as a whole. All the details were discussed. Instructions were given to polish the proposals promptly. “The head of state made some remarks, which will have to be considered within one month. The program will have to be improved bearing these remarks in mind,” noted the official.

The suggested measures are expected to improve the industry's performance thanks to certain structural changes and optimization. But precise economic justification is the main thing the head of state wants. It is necessary to come up with a system, which meets Belarus' needs as much as possible, said the official.

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