TABLE 3. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

* Solid, Liquid: Million tons; Gas: Billion m3; Uranium: Metric tons; Hydro, Renewable: TW

** Lignite

*** Biomass reserves in forests are estimated at 1.43 billion m³. Belarus has considerable potential for increase in biomass use for energy purposes, rising to 11 million m³ wood use (3.1 million tce) per year by 2020.

Source: Ministry of Energy

TABLE 4. ENERGY STATISTICS (EJ)

* Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import - Export) of secondary energy.

** Solid fuels include coal, lignite

Source: Ministry of Energy

Belarus experiences deficit of its own fuel and energy resources. The share of own resources in the national fuel and energy balance is about 18 per cent. More than 80 per cent of the fuel and energy resources are imported, mainly from the Russian Federation. Natural gas is the dominating component in the national fuel and energy balance. Relative weight of natural gas in domestic electricity power industry reached 95-96 percent. This factor significantly affects the energy security of Belarus.

The main directions of the development of the national fuel and energy sector are determined by the Concept of Energy Security of the Belarus approved by the Ordinance of the President of Belarus in September 2007.

Implementation of the provisions of the Concept in 2007-2009 resulted in reduction of wear rate of the energy production facilities by 9.6 per cent, reconstruction and modernization of three largest hydropower and heat electrical power stations, construction of a number of small hydropower stations and 7 module power plants working on local fuels.

These activities, as well as implementation of energy saving programs, made it possible to save more than a million tons of coal equivalents per year during 2007-2009. In 2009, the use of renewable energy sources amounted to 1.5 percent of annual consumption of fuel in the electric energy sector. Emissions of the greenhouse gases were reduced by 1.7 million tons in 2006-2009.

Within the framework of implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, 8 project proposals aimed at reducing emissions by the electric energy facilities were developed.

The development of the national energy sector is implemented in accordance with the Concept of Energy Security of Belarus, which covers the time period up to 2021.

In order to ensure the national energy security, the Concept considers the introduction of nuclear energy into the national energy mix by constructing 1 nuclear power plant of two reactors with total output electric capacity of 2000 MW before 2020.

Also, the Concept outlines priorities of the development of the national energy sector, which are the following:

• development and modernization of energy sources by introducing efficient combined-cycle technologies for steam power plants in use, and constructing new steam power plants,

• increase in performance by modernizing turbines and adding generating equipment to boiler plants, thus transforming them into mini-heat and electrical power stations;

• diversification of fuel and energy balance by the use of nuclear power and coal, and by introduction of local fuels and renewable energy to the maximal feasible extent;

• increase of the capacity of underground storages of natural gas;

• development of the network infrastructure and enhancement of export and transit capacities;

• organization of energy equipment production within the country;

• introduction of modern energy-saving technologies in all the branches of the national economy.

The fuel diversification approach presumes that in 2020 Belarus will introduce generating capacities based on alternative energy sources, including coal (about 1000 MW), hydropower plants (290 MW), heat and electrical power stations using local fuels (up to 265 MW).

At present, the State Program on Development of the Electric Power Industry for 2011-2015 is under preparation. It is expected that its implementation will bring the following results:

Management of the grid

Electric power sector of Belarus is an intensively automated complex consisting of regional energy systems combined into the national system with integrated operation and control management.

Presently, the national electric power sector is integrated under the State Industrial Association “Belenergo”, which includes the operation and control management facility. It integrates six regional electric power enterprises, and various companies performing maintenance, production and reconstruction of electrical facilities, as well as research, design and technological activities and construction of new electric energy facilities.

Production

As of January 1, 2010, the total established capacity of the “Belenergo” thermal power plants amounted to 7 974.398 MW, the total installed capacity of all power plants in Belarus - 8 386.158 MW.

Transport, transmission and distribution structure

The electrical network of the national electric power sector includes 0.4-750 kV transmission facilities with total length of 269 245 kilometers, transformer stations with 35-750 kV voltage and total installed capacity of 33 389.7 MVA and transformer stations with 6-10/0,4 kV voltage and total installed capacity of 14 558.3 MVA.

The 220-750 kV power transmission lines are the backbone of the electric energy system and provide connections with the electric energy systems of the Russian Federation, Lithuania, Ukraine and Poland. The total length of these lines amounts to 6 971 kilometers.

The 110 kV power transmission lines with the total length of 16 642 kilometers provide both transmission and distribution of electric energy.

The 0.4-35 kV electric network serves for distribution purposes. Its length is 245 617 kilometers.

TABLE 5. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND CAPACITY

(1) Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

Source:  Belenergo

TABLE 6. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

(1) Net import / Total energy consumption.

No information

In order to develop the national nuclear power program and to implement NPP construction activities, the following infrastructure of three bodies was established in Belarus:

• Department of Nuclear Energy of the Ministry of Energy, which is responsible for the implementation of the national policy in the area of nuclear energy sector development;

• Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry for Emergencies, which is responsible for the state supervision over the issues of nuclear and radiation safety;

• State Enterprise ”Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction“, which acts as a customer for the package of preparatory and design and planning works required to construct the NPP.

The National Unitary Enterprise “Belnipienergoprom” is appointed as the general designer to coordinate the development of design and budget documentation for the NPP construction.

Scientific support of the NPP construction activities is performed by the State Scientific Institution "Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research - Sosny".

Non applicable

Non applicable

Non applicable

The State Corporation on Atomic Energy “Rosatom” is defined as a strategic partner in the development of the national nuclear power program. “Rosatom” confirmed its readiness to construct the NPP in Belarus on the “turn-key” basis with commissioning of the first 1000 MWe reactor in 2016 and the second one in 2018. This partnership is reflected through three main documents and one general contract with Atomstroyexport (ASE). The three documents are the following:

• In order to set up a legal basis needed for concluding contracts for the construction of the NPP, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the area of peaceful use of atomic energy was concluded.

• At present, the preparatory work for signing the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the construction of the nuclear power plant on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is under completion. The contract documents for NPP construction are being developed.

• The document dedicated to fundings (intergovernmental Agreement on credit arrangement for the purpose of design and construction of the NPP in the Republic of Belarus; see 2.3.3)

A draft Strategy of Radioactive Waste Management in Belarus is also prepared. The optimal conditions for joint operation of the systems of radioactive waste management at the NPP and at the special enterprise for radioactive waste management is determined. The radioactive waste management flowsheet in principle is created. The draft project specification for justification of investments required to construct the national radioactive waste burial ground is developed.

TABLE 7. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Table 8. Planned nuclear power plants

In order to implement preparatory activities for nuclear power plant construction in Belarus, the Inter-Agency Commission chaired by the First Deputy Prime-Minister was established. The Commission is comprised of representatives of the National Academy of Sciences, Ministry of Finances, Ministry of Energy, Ministry for Emergencies, Ministry of Natural Resources and Protection of the Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and several other governmental bodies and organizations. The Commission holds regular meetings to discuss various issues related to the development of the national nuclear power program.

To perform functions of a customer for the package of preparatory and design and planning works required to construct the NPP, the State Enterprise ”Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction“ was established. The Directorate is also responsible for coordination of the development of design and budget documentation for NPP construction, coordination of activities related to NPP construction and creation of the required infrastructure, information support, training of personnel, etc.

Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety was established within the Ministry for Emergencies and was given responsibilities to exercise the state supervision over nuclear and radiation safety issues, and to control observation of the relevant legislation.

Department of Nuclear Energy of the Ministry of Energy is established with the aim to implement the national policy in the area of nuclear energy sector development. The main functions of the Department include coordination of activities related to construction and operation of the NPP, development and monitoring of implementation of nuclear energy programs, organization of activities aimed at ensuring nuclear safety, information and communication activities.

The construction of the NPP in Belarus is planned with the use of credit resources. At present, the Belarusian and Russian sides discuss the draft intergovernmental Agreement on credit arrangement for the purpose of design and construction of the NPP in Belarus.

The State Program on Development of the Electric Power Industry for 2011-2015 includes the modernization of 400 kilometers of 220-330-750 kV transmission line backbone to ensure power output of the first unit of the NPP, as well as conversion of 220 kV power transmission lines to 330 kV ones.

Also, the project “Electricity Generation System Analysis for Integration of Nuclear Power” was implemented within the framework of IAEA Technical Cooperation Program. As a result of the project, potential influence of integration of the NPP with 2000 MW capacity on the national energy system was evaluated and feasibility study of the use of nuclear energy as compared to alternative ways of electric power generation was performed.

The outcomes of this study demonstrated that based on the demand, technology cost and fuel import price assumptions for the period 2005 to 2035, the policy of the Government of Belarus of introducing 2000 MW of nuclear power by 2020 is economically viable and attractive from both an economic and energy security perspective. Sensitivity tests proved that nuclear power can be a competitive electricity generating option for Belarus over a wide range of nuclear investment costs, alternative fuel price, competing technology and discount rate assumptions.

Initially, 74 prospective sites for NPP construction were identified. At the first stage, 20 sites were excluded from the list, as having forbidding factors determined by the main criteria and requirements for site selection. The remaining 54 sites were subject to analysis based on available library and archive information.

To reduce the amount of survey works, a special expert commission analyzed hydrological, seismotectonic, environmental, aerometeorological, radiological, and engineering-geological factors and land use conditions, as well as the results of additional reconnaissance field studies. This analysis made it possible to single out 3 most perspective areas for detailed examination.

In 2006-2008, in these areas three sites were identified:

• Krasnopolyanskaya (Bykhov area);

• Koukshinovskaya (Shklovsko-Goretskiy area);

• Ostrovetskaya (Ostrovets area).

On these sites, research and survey works were conducted to select the priority site for NPP construction. In December 2008, based on the results of these works, the specially established State Commission defined the Ostrovetskaya site as the priority one, two other sites were approved as reserve ones.

The research and survey activities on the priority site were completed in 2009 and the environmental impact assessment report was prepared. The report is now being finalized taking into account the results of consultation and public hearings conducted within the framework of Espoo Convention mechanisms.

According to the State Program “Scientific support to the development of nuclear energy in the Republic of Belarus for 2009-2010 and for the period up to 2020” the main organization responsible for the implementation of the Program is the State Scientific Institution "Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research - Sosny" of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The main goal of the Program is the development and introduction of scientific and technical proposals aimed at optimizing technological processes, enhancing nuclear, radiation and environmental safety, improving physical protection, and increasing efficiency of nuclear power sector.

The implementation of the Program will make it possible to use effectively the existing industrial and human capacities of Belarus, to minimize negative impact of nuclear facilities on the environment and population, to develop measures aimed at increasing NPP efficiency. An emphasis is also put on human resources development.

The Program is funded from the national budget.

The “Sosny” Institute conducts researches in the following areas:

• analytical and numerical methods for description of chaos-associated tunneling and applications in micro- and nanoelectronics based on these methods;

• conditions of stable work of quantum computers;

• physics and kinetics of Accelerator Driven Systems and Accelerator Driven Transmution Technologies;

• methods of nondestructive control of radioactive materials, etc.

The “Sosny” Institute has being actively cooperating with International Scientific and Technical Center, IAEA, leading research centers of Western Europe, USA. The Institute continues to implement joint activities with leading nuclear research centers of the Russian Federation and Ukraine.

Special interest is given to research of new technologies of energy generation, transmutation of radiotoxic elements of nuclear fuel cycle, physics of reactors and subcritical systems with external sources, creation of nuclear data libraries in the broad range of mass numbers and energies. These works are carried out in cooperation with nuclear research institutes in Republic of Korea and Japan, Federal Nuclear Center (Germany), Royal Technological Institute (Sweden), Research Center on Energy and Technologies (Spain), Institute of Nuclear Research (Ukraine), Kurchatov’s Institute (Russian Federation), and European Center of Nuclear Research.

Studies in application of ionizing radiation are performed in cooperation with Scientific and Research Institute of Nuclear Reactors (Russian Federation), Institute of Applied Radiochemistry and Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (Poland).

Presently, the Ministry for Emergencies is the state administration body in the area of nuclear and radiation safety. Within the Ministry, the Department of Industrial Safety is responsible for industrial safety at the nuclear energy facilities and the Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety (Gosatomnadzor) is the competent authority for safety of ionizing radiation sources and nuclear energy facilities.

In 1993, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus conferred the responsibilities of competent national authority in the area of nuclear and radiation safety to the State Committee on Supervision of Industrial and Nuclear Safety. In 1995, this body was transformed into the Committee under the Ministry for Emergencies and Protection of Population from the Consequences of the Chernobyl NPP Catastrophe with transfer of responsibilities to this Ministry.

The list of governmental bodies responsible for various aspects of nuclear safety and security includes the Ministry of Emergencies, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, and Committee of State Security (Article 7 of the Law “On the Use of Atomic Energy”).

State administration in the area of radiation safety is exercised by the Ministry of Emergencies, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Health in accordance with the Law “On Radiation Safety of the Public”. Their responsibilities are set up by the two above mentioned Laws and the Law “On Sanitary-Epidemic Welfare of the Public”.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection is responsible for observation of the pollution level of the atmospheric air, surface water, soil, atmospheric precipitation and snow cover with the aim of identifying radioactive contamination of these environmental components resulting from the emission (discharges) of pollutants and their transboundary migration. The information about the environmental pollution is provided to the state authorities, local executive and administrative bodies and the public in order to prevent and mitigate the impact of radiological emergency situation.

At the moment, the licensing process is regulated by the following legislation:

• Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 14.07.2003 N°17 “On licensing of some types of activities”;

• Regulation on Licensing of Activities in the Area of Industrial Safety, approved by the Ordinance of the Council of Minister of the Republic of Belarus of 20.10.2003 N°1357;

• Regulation on the procedure of examination or expertise of compliance of license contender to license requirements and conditions, approved by the Ordinance of the Council of Minister of the Republic of Belarus of 20.10.2003 N°1382.

The specific procedures for licensing activities in the area of the use of nuclear energy are to be developed in 2010.