Belarus says power exports to Russia possible after 2025

MINSK, Feb 28 (PRIME) -- Belarus sees opportunities for power exports to Russia after 2025, if the markets of the two countries integrate, the Belarusian Energy Ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

“If the natural gas markets of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are integrated and the prices become equal, the possibility of Belarusian power exports grows significantly after 2025 due to reduction of the fuel cost in the production costs, which means its competitiveness at the Russian market will grow correspondingly,” the ministry said.

Russia’s power generation installed capacity exceeded maximum consumption by 56.7% in 2018.

“Nevertheless, even taking into account higher demand for power…the excessive capacity may be in high demand in the mid-term due to the need of overhauls at the existing capacities and replacement of withdrawing capacities, as more than a third of Russian power plants have been working for more than 30 years, and the average age of these plants is 50–60 years,” the ministry said.

“About 80% of nuclear power capacities is close to the end of their lifespan, and 78% of thermal power plants need re-equipment.”

Lower prices for power sources and cheap nuclear power in the country will make Belarusian power competitive in Russia, the ministry added.

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