, there is little renewable energy in Belarus.[1] 7% of primary energy in Belarus was from renewables in 2019, mostly biofuels. As there is a lot of district heating, more renewables could be integrated into the heat distribution system, but this is hindered by fossil fuel subsidies.
A 2021 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) recommended:
About half of the energy is produced by independent power producers.
In 2019, energy imports cost 5.5% of the national GDP, which could be reduced by increasing renewable energy production. According to IRENA, increasing renewable energy production would also create jobs and increase energy security.
There is large potential from wood waste, crop residue, and biogas from manure; About 10% of district heating is biomass.
Although the crust below Belarus is not hot enough for electricity generation it may be possible to integrate geothermal energy into district heating.
Although small hydroelectric power plants were common before the national grid, there is now less than 100MW produced, since Belarus is mostly flat.