Belarus' GDP energy intensity has decreased by 1.2 times over the past 10 years, Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said as he opened Energy Expo, the 25th installment of the Belarusian energy and environmental forum, BelTA has learned. “This is a significant contribution to strengthening energy security, improving the environment and the quality of life of people," Viktor Karankevich said. According to him, Belarus will continue working on further assimilation of innovative technologies, effective use of traditional energy resources and alternative, non-hydrocarbon energy sources. The most important priority is the development of nuclear energy.

"The big project to build the Belarusian NPP guarantees better energy security of Belarus and provides qualitatively new opportunities for the development of the national economy. This project also means the most advanced technologies, and thousands of new jobs," the minister said. He stressed that with the launch of two units of the plant, the country will receive a reliable environmentally friendly source of energy, which will provide about 40% of domestic electricity needs. Greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by more than 7 million tonnes annually. "Thus, Belarus will make a significant contribution to the common cause of mitigating the effects of the climate change," Viktor Karankevich added.