Belarus introduces new measures to boost power grid reliability

Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin has signed a resolution to introduce additional measures to boost power grid reliability in the country, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian government.

The document was adopted to implement Presidential Order No. 84 of 17 June 2026, “On improving power grid reliability.” The order establishes procedures for allocating land plots needed for widening and clearing rights-of-way along overhead power lines of 35 kV and above, aimed at preventing emergencies caused by falling trees.

The resolution provides for the approval of regulations on partial cost reimbursement for clearing woody vegetation, as well as regulations on the official write-off procedure for the cleared vegetation.

The costs of clearing woody vegetation will be covered by the value of the removed timber itself. However, in certain cases, this value may not fully offset the expenses due to the low quality of the vegetation or the inability to transport it for future use. Any remaining costs not covered by the value of the cleared trees and shrubs will be reimbursed to forestry enterprises by regional power utilities. Commission-based write-offs will be permitted if there are no access roads for logging equipment or if other circumstances prevent the removal of the cleared vegetation.

The adopted measures will accelerate the widening of overhead power line rights-of-way and boost the reliability of the power supply.

Statistics show that overhead power lines with widened rights-of-way experience nine times fewer emergency shutdowns on average compared to those with unwidened clearance zones.