The objects of three pilot projects implemented with the financial support of the European Union have been opened in Novogrudok district. The partners were the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Novogrudok District Executive Committee. The potential of wind generators can be expanded by another 20 sites suitable for windmills.
A wind farm with a capacity of 2.5 megawatts was launched near the village of Grabniki last Thursday as part of the Green Economy in Belarus project. The height of the tower is one hundred meters, the length of the blades is 50 meters. The coordination of this project was carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
- I am pleased that this wind turbine will belong to the training center of the Ministry of Nature and will bring financial benefits. This will allow the center to switch on self-sufficiency, develop additional training programs, providing opportunities for training and mentorinf future specialists, said Andrea Victorin, the head of the European Union delegation in the Republic of Belarus, during the celebrations.
-Renewable energy is becoming a special branch of our region. This is facilitated by natural and climatic conditions and, of course, our interest, as it serves economic development, said Anatoly Markevich, chairman of the Novogrudok regional executive committee, at the opening of the wind farm.
The development of wind power began in the region in 2011, when the Republican Unitary Enteprise "Grodnoenergo" erected the first wind turbine with a capacity of one and a half megawattson the site near Grabnikov. In 2016 it realized an investment project, which resulted in the first wind farm in Belarus with a capacity of 9 megawatts. Today 20 wind turbines with a total capacity of 32 megawatts are successfully operating at Novogrudokchina.They produced 36 million kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past year, which reduced consumption of natural gas for 19%. More than $ 30 million was invested in the economy of the region, and this is new jobs, taxes to the regional budget. Anatoly Markevich said that there are still about 20 sites on the territory of the region where wind energy can be engaged.
The district is also a participant in the "Smart City" project. Accounting systems for the consumption of heat and electricity and water in the residential sectorare automated, the modernization of street lighting in the district center begins.
Novogrudok became the second city after Polotsk, which in 2012 joined the agreement of mayors, assuming obligations to 2020 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere to 20%.
The hot water supply system was lauched in the central district hospital, implemented as part of the project "Development of Renewable Energy in Novogrudok region is a roadmap for an ecologically clean area". The construction was financed by the European Union and the Novogrudok District Executive Committee.40 thermal collectors with a capacity of 117.6 kW and two heat pumps were installed. As a result, the maternity ward of the hospital receives year-round supply of hot water. Savings of budgetary funds will be about 7 thousand euros per month.
Also on this day in Novogrudok Agrarian College a training and consulting center on renewable energy sources was opened. Special imitation equipment and software will allow more visually and effectively conduct consultations for students, residents of the region on the topic of saving electricity and heat, hot and cold water. By the way, from the next academic year in the college will train specialists in the protection of the environment and natural resources.
