Wednesday, March 23, the Council of Ministers of Belarus considered the draft State Program for the Development of the energy system of the country in 2011-2015. Among other things, the document provides for the phased elimination of cross-subsidies in gas prices and energy tariffs. Energy Minister Alexander Ozerets said that the whole project had been approved by the government, but there were a number of observations to be finalized within a week.
As reported by the Council of Ministers, the program provides a seamless, painless treatment of cross-subsidies in gas prices and energy tariffs, «taking into account issues of social protection of population.»
«We are moving away from this crossroads, which greatly relieves the financial pressure on the real economy. Naturally, the population will be pressed a little, but the average salary of $1 thousand in equivalent is planned to be reached by 2015. Having this in mind, the work will be built up so that to weaken the burden on the population,» said Alexander Ozerets.
According to the head of the Ministry of Energy, a state program is aimed to improve the tariff policy, taking into account the economic interests of energy producers and consumers, as well as to provide incentives for maximum energy savings at all stages of production and consumption of energy, to improve utilization capacity.
Alexander Ozerets also informed that a state program also provides for the gradual reforming of the country’s energy system for further development of the electricity industry in the development of market relations in Belarus. It is planned to increase efficiency, to create a competitive market of electric energy, keeping energy tariffs at the needed level, to reliably supply sector of the economy and the population with electricity and thermal energy, to safeguard the stable functioning, development and control over electric power while ensuring the state regulation of the industry.
According to the draft state program, the amount of the state investment in the development of the country’s energy will amount to $5.9 billion over the next five years. It’s planned to implement a package of measures, aimed at reducing consumption of electric power system of import material and technical resources — from 51.3% of total procurement in 2011 to 33.8% in 2015. The share of the Belarusian technical resources, according to the government plans, is expected to be increased, respectively, from 48.7% to 66.2%.
