Belarus looks forward to mutually beneficial cooperation with the SCO countries in the energy sector

Belarus counts on mutually beneficial cooperation with the SCO countries in the energy sector.

This was stated by Deputy Minister of Energy Olga Prudnikova at the plenary meeting of the SCO Energy Forum, which took place in Astana October 4, 2023.

The Deputy Minister paid special attention to the prospects for cooperation in the electricity sector. “The Republic of Belarus is of particular interest in the implementation of projects to modernize the electrical grid infrastructure, create electricity storage systems, introduce smart power grids, exchange experience and conduct joint events, scientific and technical cooperation,” noted Olga Prudnikova.

She recalled that a project to build a nuclear power plant is being completed in Belarus. After its two power units reach their designed capacity, the share of nuclear generation in the total volume of electricity generation will be about 40%.

Belarus has been participating in the SCO since 2010 as a dialogue partner and since 2015 as an observer. On September 16, 2022, within the framework of a meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Samarkand, a decision was signed to begin the procedure for Belarus to join the Organization. On July 4, 2023, a Memorandum of Obligations of the Republic was signed in order to obtain the status of a member state of the SCO.

“Thus, in the near future we will be able to take an active part in the development of the SCO’s energy policy, since the strategic directions for the organization’s development in the energy sector are relevant and consonant with the development priorities of the energy sector of our country,” added the deputy minister.