Two hydroelectric power stations to be built on Neman and Western Dvina

The capacities of the two hydroelectric power stations being built on the Neman and the Western Dvina will exceed three times the capacities of the 28 hydroelectric power stations running in Belarus, BelTA learnt from Igor Sukhotsky, the head of the department for energy efficiency, ecology and science of the Energy Ministry. The use of alternative and renewable energy resources remains to be one of the most important constituents of the Belarusian energy security concept, Igor Sukhotsky considers. Under the state comprehensive programme on the modernization of the key assets of the Belarusian energy system until 2010, the country is set to launch the construction of the Grodno and Polotsk hydroelectric power stations, with the capacities of 17MW and 23MW respectively. The Energy Ministry plans to attract investors to take part in the projects. Iran, for example, is going to partake in the construction of the hydroelectric power station in Grodno. According to Igor Sukhotsky, the Energy Ministry has been elaborating a programme on the construction of a tandem hydroelectric power station system along the Belarusian rivers, taking into account the fact that the programme stipulates the use of 250MW watercourse. Besides water resources, energy specialists intend to adopt the experience of foreign countries in the windmill construction. The first windmill will appear in Grodno. Its capacity is expected to make up 1MW. The use of biogas as energy resource can be efficient as well. Biogas equipment has already been installed at utility and agriculture companies, Igor Sukhotsky added.