Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Peat Country Notes

Belarus

The peatlands of Belarus are by far the most extensive in Eastern Europe (excluding the Russian Federation), amounting to 24 000 km². The largest areas of peat formation are in the Pripyat Marshes in the south and in the central area around Minsk. Peat has been used as a fuel for many years, with the highest consumption during the 1970s and 1980s. The use of peat as a power station fuel ceased in 1986; fuel output in recent years has been largely confined to the production of peat briquettes, mainly for household use.

Out of a total fuel peat production of around 2 million tonnes per annum, deliveries to briquetting plants account for 85-90%. Consumption of peat by CHP and heat plants amounts to about 200 000 tpa, with the balance of peat supply being consumed by a variety of small-scale users. Current annual output of peat briquettes is approximately 1.2 million tonnes, of which half is consumed in the residential sector and approaching a quarter is exported.

The IPS National Committee for Belarus reports that 2005 peat production was 2.36 million tonnes.