MINSK, 2 September (BelTA) – Belarus will be increasing the share of local fuels in its fuel and energy mix, Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Olga Prudnikova said during a press tour to mark the Day of Oil, Gas and Fuel Industry Workers, BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry.
"The economy will be growing. So will electricity and heat consumption. The country will be diversifying its fuel and energy mix and increasing the share of local fuels. The wider the range of energy sources and their suppliers is, the greater the country's energy security will be," Olga Prudnikova said.
The deputy minister added that in 2004-2010, Belarus took comprehensive measures to develop the peat industry and to promote the use of biomass and wood chips as fuel. Much has been done for the development of the hydraulic power industry; major projects have been implemented in wind and solar energy. "Today, our country is a nuclear power. Today it is important to ensure the balanced development of all types of energy sources and also the balance pf the fuel and energy balance itself," she stressed.
Olga Prudnikova also spoke about the main areas of peat use. This is not only the energy sector but also housing and utilities services, the cement industry. The use of solid municipal waste as a fuel is also considered as a promising area, she said. "This is a type of local resources, which is formed at a fast pace. We are working on the possibility to use it as fuel at our energy facilities," the deputy minister said.
