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Within the framework of in-depth energy efficiency review of Belarus carried out under the Energy Charter Protocol for Energy Efficiency and Related Environmental Aspects (PEEREA), the Charter's review team visited Minsk on 4-8 June 2012. The aim of this mission was to assess the country's progress in fulfilling commitments under the Protocol and to get insight into the most recent developments in Belarus's energy and energy efficiency policies. The team was composed of officials from the Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company, Armenian Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Austrian Energy Agency and Swedish Energy Agency and was supported by experts from the Energy Charter Secretariat. The mission was hosted by the Belarusian Ministry of Economy.

The review team met with high-level representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Building and Architecture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Environment and the Department of Energy Efficiency. There were also meetings with representatives of the European Delegation, UNDP and the World Bank.

Energy efficiency is a key priority in the national energy policy of the Republic of Belarus. During the period of 1997-2010 the energy intensity of the economy was reported to be reduced 2.3 times with the average annual reduction rate of 4.3%. Primary and secondary legislation, institutional structure and mechanisms of state support have been created and continually improved as a result of specific energy efficiency measures. Strategic decisions are implemented and monitored through a system of targets and government programmes. The fourth National Energy Efficiency Programme for the years 2011-2015 is currently being implemented.

The review team noted that the government still needed to speed up the reform of the energy sector to allow the use of market mechanisms and factors attracting investments in energy-efficient technologies and equipment, as well as to improve the energy pricing mechanism by introducing costs-reflective tariffs and removing cross-subsidies. During discussions with the Ministry of Economy, the ratification of the Energy Charter Treaty and the PEEREA by Belarus was pointed out by the review team as an important requirement for the creation of a stable and secure environment for future investments in the Belarusian energy sector.

Recognising the substantial progress achieved by the authorities of Belarus to date, the review team discussed their preliminary findings and recommendations with the Ministry of Economy and other relevant governmental institutions on the last day of the mission. The findings and the in-depth energy efficiency review report will be presented at the PEEREA Working Group meeting in late September this year, with final recommendations expected to be submitted for endorsement by the Energy Charter Conference.

  

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