OREANDA-NEWS. By 2010, Belarus plans to save 7,55 million tonnes of fuel equivalent, Energy Minister of Belarus Alexander Ozerets stated at the session of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers which highlighted the draft state programme on modernization of the main production assets of the Belarusian energy system by 2010. The session was chaired by Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky, reported the Official website www.government.by.

The Minister noted that the owing to the draft programme by 2010 the GDP energy intensity will be 31% down as against the 2005 level.

In particular, by 2010 the Belarusian energy system will save 1,15 million tonnes of equivalent fuel, other industries will save 6,4 million tonnes of equivalent fuel. Consumption of local fuels will increase to 6,48 million tonnes of equivalent fuel. By 2012, the country will be generating 25% of heat and electric power from local fuels.

Alexander Ozerets noted that in accordance with the draft programme, $3,1 billion will be invested in modernization of the main production assets of the Belarusian energy system. By 2010, a total of 1,140- mW faculties will be made operational in Belarus. A 450-mW combined-cycle plant will be built at Minsk CHP-plant #5.

Up to $5,8 billion will be channeled into the programme while the overall cost of the programme is estimated at $9,9 billion. Participants of the session noted that the programme should be amended and finalized, particularly, the financial issues should be clarified.

The Prime Minister demanded that financial inputs in energy-saving projects should be proportionate to the economic effect of these projects.