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PM Sidorski notes importance of energy efficiency for modernization of Belarusian economy

Efforts to increase energy efficiency are vital for the Belarusian economy’s modernization, Prime Minister Syarhey Sidorski said at the opening of a Belarusian Industrial Forum in Minsk on May 11, BelaPAN reports.

The government projects to cut the consumption of energy by 30 percent within the next five years, the premier said.

He said that the country`s GDP increased almost twofold in the last nine years, with the country’s energy consumption “consistently” dropping.

Mr. Sidorski emphasized the importance of increasing the use of local fuels to cut imports of Russian natural gas. The share of local fuels in the consumption increased to 21 percent over the last four years and is projected to reach 25 percent this year and 30 percent in two years, he said, noting that 10 power plants burning local fuels had been constructed in the country.

The 13th Belarusian Industrial Forum will last until May 14. Around 200 companies based in Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Ukraine are advertising their products at the event.