20 Jan 2025 23:15

Baltic countries' withdrawal from BRELL energy systems will not affect Belarus - Energy Ministry

MINSK. Jan 20 (Interfax) - The withdrawal of the Baltic states from the parallel operation of the BRELL energy systems on February 7, 2025, will not affect the reliable supply of thermal energy and electricity to Belarusian consumers, Belarusian Energy Minister Alexei Kushnarenko said.

"Given the intentions of the Baltic states, the Belarusian energy system has timely addressed issue of future operating modes and implemented a set of measures to maintain the stable operation of Belarus's power grids," Kushnarenko was quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry's press service.

The Baltic states' decision to exit BRELL is "purely political," he said.

Electricity consumption in Belarus increased 5% in 2024, reaching 43 billion kWh, he said. "The growth in electricity consumption has been observed both in the real economy and among households, particularly in areas where incentive measures have been introduced and are in effect. One such area is the use of electricity for heating and hot water supply by the population. In 2024, this figure rose to 880 million kWh, which is 34% more than in 2023," Kushnarenko said.

It is planned that after disconnecting their power systems from the unified network with Russia and Belarus (BRELL), the Baltic states will connect to the European power grid on February 9. The cost of the project to synchronize the Baltic region with the continental European energy system amounts to 1.6 billion euros. Three quarters of the expenses are covered by the EU budget.