Br435.2 billion is planned to be allocated for the construction of the Vitebsk HPP on the Western Dvina River.

May 6, Minsk / Irina Aniskevich - BELTA /. Br435.2 billion is planned to be allocated for the construction of the Vitebsk Hydroelectric Power Station on the Western Dvina River. The corresponding decision is contained in Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 675, the BELTA correspondent was informed at the Council of Ministers' Office. Financing for the construction is expected to be carried out through loans (including foreign ones) issued under government guarantees and the own funds of RUP "Vitebskenergo". As the BELTA correspondent was informed at the Ministry of Energy of Belarus, the commissioning of the Vitebsk HPP with an installed capacity of 40 MW is planned for 2013. The HPP will allow generating an average of 138 million kWh of electricity per year. Due to the use of water energy instead of generating the same amount of electricity, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 71.2 tons per year, and toxic gases by 236 tons per year. The commissioning of the Vitebsk HPP will ensure the replacement of imported fuel in the energy system within the limits of 42.6 thousand tons of conventional fuel per year. The site for the construction of the Vitebsk HPP is located 8 km from Vitebsk upstream of the Western Dvina River. The location was chosen considering the creation of maximum head while minimizing damage from demolition and relocation of existing structures during the construction of the hydro-engineering complex, convenience of communications, and favorable hydrological and geological conditions. The Ministry of Energy noted that the construction of hydroelectric power stations in Belarus is driven by the program to include up to 25% of local and renewable energy sources in the country's fuel balance. The advantages of hydropower include minimal operating costs, as well as fuel savings. -0-