About 2m tonnes of peat extracted in Belarus every year

About 2 million tonnes of peat is extracted in Belarus every year. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the relevant statement in BelTA's press center on 20 December.

Viktor Karankevich said that the peat industry plays an important role in the country's energy security. The share of peat in the total consumption of local fuels is close to 15%. About 2 million tonnes of peat is extracted in Belarus every year. It is used to make 1.2 million tonnes of peat products and some 20% is exported. About 80% of the peat products is sold domestically, which allows substituting over 450 million m3 of natural gas every year.

In line with the head of state's instructions the modernization of the basic production assets of peat-extracting enterprises proceeds systemically using modern equipment and technologies. New methods for excavating peat are being introduced. Over Br320 million was spent on the development of the Belarusian peat industry in the last 12 years.

The maximum involvement of local fuels, including peat, in the fuel and energy budget is a priority task for the energy industry. The transition of municipal boiler houses from natural gas to milled peat and encouraging cement mills to use peat products are promising avenues for increasing sales of peat products.

Key directions of the future development of the peat industry are stipulated by the program on the complex modernization of peat-extracting enterprises in 2021-2025. The program focuses on the development of the raw materials base. The main manufacturing and economic performance targets for the industry as a whole and for individual enterprises have been determined. Belarus' fuel and energy budget will gain about 3.3 million tonnes of reference fuel thanks to peat fuel products within the next five years. About Br250 million will be spent on the program's implementation.