Renewable energy in Belarus

, there is little renewable energy in Belarus, but a lot of potential. 7% of primary energy in Belarus was from renewables in 2019, mostly biofuels. As there is a lot of district heating, more renewables could be integrated into the heat distribution system, but this is hindered by fossil fuel subsidies.

Policy
A 2021 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recommended:


 * 1) Revising renewable energy targets
 * 2) Improving the quota allocation for renewables
 * 3) Designing renewable energy auctions
 * 4) Harnessing renewable energy potentials in heating
 * 5) Developing an energy sector master plan with higher shares of renewables
 * 6) Adopting a grid code for renewables
 * 7) Improving variable renewable power generation forecasting
 * 8) Improving de-risking mechanisms for renewable energy investments
 * 9) Standardising power purchase agreements
 * 10) Building human and institutional capacities for renewable energy development

Producers
About half of the energy is from independent power producers.

Economics
In 2019, energy imports cost 5.5% of GDP, and this could be reduced by increasing renewable energy. According to IRENA this would also create jobs and increase energy security.

Environment
In 2019, two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions were from energy, and this could be reduced by increasing renewable energy.

Biomass
There is large potential from wood waste, crop residue, and biogas from manure. About 10% of district heating is biomass.

Geothermal
Although the crust below Belarus is not hot enough for electricity generation it may be possible to integrate geothermal energy into district heating.

Hydroelectricity
Although small hydroelectric power plants were common before the national grid, there is now less than 100MW produced, since Belarus is mostly flat.