Wind turbines and mini-hydro power plants are planned to be launched in the Vitebsk region in 2020
According to the specialist, the energy sector development in the Vitebsk region is proceeding in several directions. Fuel consumption for electricity and heat generation is decreasing due to the modernization of existing capacities and the implementation of the latest technologies. For example, the commissioning of a 427 MW combined cycle gas turbine plant at the Lukomlskaya GRES has reduced fuel consumption. In addition, several types of raw materials are actively used in the energy system.
"An important factor is the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy system. The Polotsk and Vitebsk HPPs, and two wind turbines in the Liozno district are in operation. It is expected that these wind turbines will generate about 18 million kWh in 2020. In October, the first solar power plant with a capacity of 30 kW in the Vitebsk region began operation at the livestock complex in the village of Staiky, Orsha district," noted Pavel Kharitonov.
The next major stage of the sector's development will be the commissioning of the Belarusian NPP. To distribute a large amount of energy from the station in the northern region, high-voltage power lines have been reconstructed, and the largest substation in the country, "Postavy" (330 kV), has been built.
The production potential of "Vitebskenergo" enterprises includes six power plants, two combined heat and power plants, nine hydro power plants, almost 1.2 thousand km of heating networks, and about 50 thousand km of power grids.
Belarus consumes an average of 36-38 billion kWh of electricity per year. Of this, about 10% falls on the Vitebsk region. The average annual energy production in the northern region is 40-42% of the country's total consumption.