Context
In 2008, net energy imports represented 85% of Belarus’ total primary energy supply. Over 90% of electricity was generated from natural gas. The Belarusian government has acted earnestly in respect of this critical situation for at least one and half decade. The first National Energy Saving Programme (1996-2000) is said to have allowed saving 5 million tons of oil equivalent in energy resources. District heating and combined heat and power (CHP) production were found to consume about 70% of the country’s energy needs. That finding triggered a systematic move: inefficient boiler plants were replaced by more efficient models; and then they shifted to mini-CHP plants. There is now a national plan for installing biomass fuelled mini-CHP plants in 20 cities and towns across the country till 2016. The question, though, remains that the state sector is the single largest consumer of energy resources in the country. It accounts for 68% of total energy consumption, the population taking up 30% and the private sector less than 2%. Therefore, controlling energy use namely in State enterprises ranked the next immediate priority for improving energy efficiency.
Objective
The project aims to accelerate efforts undertaken in Belarus with regard to energy conservation by promoting a more active participation of governmental and management bodies, public and private sector and civil society. It furthermore intends to establish a sustainable quality infrastructure in the sphere of energy efficiency and further align it with relevant EU and international standards and best practices.
Approach
GIZ IS strengthens the status of the Belarusian energy efficiency testing laboratory network, support the implementation of the energy efficiency related standardization programme and upgrade the Belarusian energy efficiency related testing capacity. To this end GIZ IS provides practical knowledge and interna-tional best practices from EU Member States and also make maximum use of Belarusian expert capacities in order to achieve project results that are both sustainable and adjusted to local circumstances, priorities of the government and to the actual needs of the Belarusian project partners.
Results
Trained specialists of the regional divisions and DEE carrying out the control of rational and effective use of fuel and energy resources. Public awareness on energy savings and energy efficiency as a relevant factor in purchasing of household equipment is raised. Energy consumption benchmarks for manufacturer and constructors are developed and incorporated into national standards and other document. Central and local governmental structures are endowed with a set of legal instruments and administrative guidelines for enforcing of energy efficiency best practices.