Key events
Peak-reserve sources with a total capacity of 800 MW have been introduced at four power plants in Belarus. These capacities were built specifically as a reserve in case of a shutdown of one of the NPP units. These gas turbine units can reach nominal mode from a cold state in just 15 minutes. Previously, the largest unit in the energy system was a combined-cycle unit with a capacity of 450 MW, and accordingly, there were reserves for this capacity. However, additional reserves have become necessary to ensure reliability after the launch of NPP units with a capacity of 1200 MW.
Fuel prices continue to rise. On July 2nd and 9th, fuel prices for cars increased again by 1 kopeck (0.3 euro cents) each time. This marks the eighth increase since May 21st, when the first increase of the year occurred.
In Belarus, there were several storms in July that led to serious power outages for consumers. Massive outages occurred on July 1, July 13, July 14 and July 30. We described the consequences of the storms in detail in the cover story of this issue.
The staff of the Belelectroremont branch of Belenergoremnaladka OJSC, in collaboration with the power engineers of the Zhlobin Electric Networks branch of Gomelenergo RUP, replaced outdated 110 kV high-voltage bushings with modern ones featuring RIP insulation on the 330 kV power autotransformer at the 330 kV Zhlobin substation.
In the village of Dvorishche in the Dzerzhinsky district, a high-pressure gas pipeline of the 2nd category was damaged during excavation work by a third-party organization. This incident disrupted the gas supply to consumers in 12 settlements. However, it was reported that the gas supply had been restored on the same day.[5].
Belarus is prepared for Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to withdraw from the BRELL Treaty.
The BRELL Treaty facilitated coordination between the system operators of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Each country maintained a reserve for emergency situations in other member countries, thereby increasing the available reserves for all.
The synchronization of the energy systems of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with the European energy system will result in the disconnection of these systems from the synchronous zone shared by Belarus and Russia.
The second power unit of the Belarusian NPP will undergo its first scheduled repair on July 26.. It was put into commercial operation on November 1, 2023, and has generated 9.2 billion kWh of electricity since being connected to the grid.
Ukrainian court lifts seizure of property of Belarusneft subsidiary, media reports. he Belarusian equipment was seized in early 2022, with an estimated value slightly less than $40 million. However, it is unknown whether the seizure has been lifted from all the property, as the resolution states that the seizure has been lifted only from a tank, a trailer, and 10 bags labeled «Aluminosilicate proppants.»
Statistics and data
In 2023, the total electricity consumption in the country increased by 2.5 TWh (6%), reaching a record high of 41.1 TWh. The positive trend continues this year, with electricity consumption increasing by 1.6 TWh over the first five months.
From the moment the first power unit was connected to the unified energy system on November 3, 2020, until July 23, 2024, the NPP has generated 33.1 TWh of electricity. This year, the capacity factor reached 92%.
To integrate the NPP into the power system, approximately 1,700 km of high-voltage power grids were constructed, four system-forming electric substations were modernized, and a high-tech 330 kV substation in Postavy was commissioned. Additionally, modern electric boilers with a total capacity of 916 MW were installed at 20 power facilities. These boilers are used to balance daily loads and provide heat for large settlements. Furthermore, 800 MW of gas turbine capacity, as previously mentioned in this digest, has been built.
Since the beginning of the season, Belarus has mined its first million tons of peat. In the first half of 2024, organizations within the Beltopgaz production association produced 288.7 thousand tons of peat briquettes and 59.8 thousand tons of dried peat.
Due to periods of electricity overproduction, incentives were introduced to boost electricity use for heating through extremely low tariffs. From 2019 to the first half of 2024, a total of 120,200 applications for electric heating equipment were received, with 89.4% of them fulfilled. For January to June 2024, there were 16,300 such requests, of which 93% were satisfied.
The increase in electricity consumption is also driven by the construction of new electrified housing. From 2021 to the first half of 2024, 1.4 million square meters of electric housing were commissioned in the country.
Statements
Lukashenko: «There will never be an oversupply of electricity if a second nuclear power plant is built in Belarus«. Lukashenko made this statement during a meeting with the head of his Administration.
However, following the launch of the first NPP, there is already an excess of electricity. To utilize this surplus, 916 MW of electric boilers were installed to convert the excess electricity into heat energy. According to our estimates, the excess electricity during the construction of the second NPP will be approximately 75% of the energy produced by the second NPP at current consumption levels.
Topic of the Issue: Storms
In Belarus, several storms in July resulted in significant power outages for consumers. Major outages occurred on July 1, July 13, July 14, and July 30.
On July 1, a thunderstorm led to the disconnection of three 110 kV lines, resulting in power outages for several settlements.
On July 13, a thunderstorm caused a disruption in the power supply, affecting 452 settlements.
However, the most serious consequences occurred after the storm on July 14. Initially, it was reported that power supply was disrupted in 369 settlements in the Gomel region. However, it later became clear that the damage was much more extensive.
On July 13-15, a hurricane in Belarus resulted in six fatalities, including two children, and injured another 15 people.
On July 15, the Ministry of Energy reported that power supply was disrupted in 1,960 settlements across the country.
The storm caused a power outage at the Mozyr 330 kV substation, which provided electricity to a significant portion of the district’s distribution network. As a result, the district center of Mozyr, with a population of 110,000, and surrounding settlements lost power. Mobile communications and water supply services in Mozyr were disrupted, and the Mozyr CHP was forced to shut down due to the loss of electricity.
Due to the power outage, operations at the Mozyr Oil Refinery were halted. According to official information, the technological processes were paused without causing any damage to the equipment.
At least 26 high-voltage lines were damaged, with a total length of 12,500 kilometers affected.
The main reason for the power outage was the disruption of the 330 kV Mozyr substation’s power supply. This substation was previously connected through three lines. One of these lines, which supplied power to Ukraine, was disconnected following the synchronization of the Ukrainian energy system with the European grid in 2022. The two remaining lines, which shared a common support structure, were damaged by the storm.
For emergency power supply, 30 diesel generators were deployed to the city and surrounding areas. Over 800 personnel and more than 320 pieces of equipment were involved in the efforts to restore power.
Power supply to Mozyr was restored on July 16. The Mozyr Thermal Power Plant was promptly restarted, and restoration efforts for industrial enterprises, including the Mozyr Oil Refinery, began. By July 19, power was restored to all populated areas, though initially supported by mobile diesel generators. Full restoration was reported complete by July 22.
At the end of July, another storm affected Belarus, leading to power outages in 1,917 populated areas. This storm de-energized 6,168 transformers, 24 boiler houses, and several enterprises. Despite covering a larger area, its intensity was lower compared to earlier storms. No casualties were reported, and major populated areas remained powered. Power was restored to nearly all affected areas within 24 hours.
