Belarus is set to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity with a new 200 MW solar power station slated for completion in 2025. This landmark project, a collaboration between the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) and the Chinese company CNEEC, will become the largest of its kind in the country, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and advanced energy storage systems to fortify the nation’s green energy infrastructure.
Launching a Groundbreaking Belarus solar power station
The Nanomaterials and Advanced Technologies Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) is spearheading the development of a 200 MW solar power station, scheduled to be unveiled in 2025. This ambitious project, undertaken with the Chinese firm CNEEC, will nearly double the capacity of the country’s current largest solar facility, the 109 MW plant in the Cherikov district. This marks a significant leap in the country’s utility-scale solar energy strategy.
According to the state news agency BelTA, the power station will be integrated with advanced energy storage systems. This inclusion is critical for ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply by mitigating the intermittent nature of solar power, allowing for electricity distribution even when the sun isn’t shining.
Vladimir Gusakov, Chairman of the NASB Presidium, underscored the project’s importance during a meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Zhang Yanwen, Party Secretary of the CPC Shaanxi Provincial Committee.
Gusakov emphasized the need for innovative energy projects, stating, “We need to launch new projects in the energy industry, and we are already doing that. Our institute of nanomaterials and advanced technologies is implementing a project to build a 200 MW solar power station.”
Exploring Further Collaboration for Belarus solar power station
The meeting between NASB and the Shaanxi Province representatives also opened doors for potential collaborations across various scientific fields, including microelectronics, chemistry, materials science, and metallurgy. Gusakov expressed keen interest in deepening cooperation with scientific institutions in Shaanxi, particularly in areas that form the foundation of photovoltaic technology, such as the basics of solar panel manufacturing.
He highlighted the value of educational exchanges, suggesting that Belarusian students could greatly benefit from studying at the prestigious universities in Shaanxi Province. This aligns with Belarus’s broader commitment to cultivating domestic expertise in high-tech industries, a strategy that could support a growing domestic sector for solar manufacturing in Belarus.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations for Belarus solar power station
The high-level meeting was part of a larger initiative to fortify bilateral relations between Belarus and China, with both nations showing strong interest in expanding cooperation in science, technology, and education.
This 200 MW solar project is a significant milestone in Belarus’s renewable energy journey and a testament to the strengthening partnership with China in the energy sector. The project directly supports Belarus’s strategic goals of enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable development. The country’s energy strategy is becoming increasingly diverse, with this major solar initiative complementing its plans to expand Belarus’s nuclear power plant capacity.
This development will push Belarus well beyond its initial renewable energy targets. While the government aimed for 1,000 MW of solar energy by 2025, it had already surpassed this with 1,064 MW of installed capacity by the end of 2023. The new 200 MW plant demonstrates an accelerated commitment, even as the country navigates certain restrictions impacting growth in the renewable sector.
As Belarus continues to advance its renewable energy initiatives, this solar power station is poised to become a cornerstone of the country’s future energy landscape. The collaboration between NASB and CNEEC showcases the power of international partnerships in advancing clean energy technologies and achieving global sustainability goals.
The intricate development of such large-scale facilities relies on a deep understanding of the entire production chain. For those curious about how these massive projects come to life, from sourcing solar panel raw materials to final assembly, our free e-course on solar manufacturing offers a comprehensive overview.
