http://ecoinfo.bas-net.by/ecology-belarus/ecology_news_in_Belarus.html

№ 8 (47), August, 2017

MINSK, BELARUS

THIS ISSUE:

Belarusian companies take active

part in Natural Product movement

........................................................... 1

Sporovskiye Senokosy eco festival

to kick off in Brest Oblast 12 August

........................................................... 1

Over $3bn worth of biotechnology

products made in Belarus

in last five years .............................. 2

Belarus keen to develop coopera-

tion with Kazakhstan in alternative

energyl ............................................. 2

First Belarusian electric car un-

veiled ................................................ 2

Comfortable life and efficient

economy ......................................... 3

Future Belarusian economy-class

electric car priced

at about $14,000 ............................ 4

Maximum localization of Belarusian

electric car production in order .. 4

BELARUSIAN COMPANIES TAKE ACTIVE PART IN

NATURAL PRODUCT MOVEMENT

Belarusian enterprises are taking an ac-tive part in the Natural Product movement for using the term “natural” in food labeling, Chair-man of the Belarusian State Standardization Committee Viktor Nazarenko noted during the online conference hosted by BelTA on 9 August.

―A certificate confirming compliance with re-quirements is required to label a product ‗natural'. As of today, 44 companies have obtained 134 certificates for 213 food products,‖ Viktor Nazarenko pointed out.

Milk and dairy products account for the largest number of certificates (86), meat products, including poultry, account for 19 certificates, drinking and min-eral water have 17 ones.

The requirements and regulations governing the use of the 'natural' food label are set forth in Technical Code of Common Practice No. 126 ―Food products. Regulations for using the term ‗natural' in food labeling. General provisions‖. When not less than 95% of the raw materials contained in the finished food product are organic agricultural ingredients, the term ―natural‖ may be used to label it. The production process must not apply genetic engineering methods and ionizing radiation. Restrictions are imposed on the use of food additives, too: only separate additives can be used with separate kinds of products.

―Such approach is in step with the internation-al and European practice regarding organic products.

The ‗natural' food label does not advertise a product as organic. It is just a certain step in this direction,‖ Viktor Nazarenko stressed.

The ―natural‖ food label is put voluntarily upon the initiative of the applicant. The latter must meet the requirements of Technical Code of Common Prac-tice No. 126 and declare the compliance with them. This means, in particular, that the applicant must guarantee that the products contain no pesticides, antibiotics, plant and animal growth stimulants, hor-monal agents, GMOs, and also that the goods and their production satisfy all the requirements.

The applicant bears the responsibility for en-suring the compliance of food products with require-ments and obligations. If the certification body re-ceives complaints about the quality of food products from customers, trading organizations, and organiza-tions controlling the safety and quality of certified food products, it will carry out an inspection to decide whether the company can retain the certificate.

Acccording to Viktor Nazarenko, not a single certificate has been canceled since Technical Code of Common Practice No. 126 was adopted. There have been some cases, however, when the certification authority refused to issue a certificate because the products did not meet the requirements.

BELTA, 9.08.2017

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SPOROVSKIYE SENOKOSY ECO FESTIVAL

TO KICK OFF IN BREST OBLAST 12 AUGUST Nearly fifty teams will take part in the Spo-

rovskiye Senokosy eco festival in the village of Vysokoye, Bereza District, Brest Oblast on 12 August, BelTA learned from Director of Spo-rovsky Biological Reserve Vadim Protasevich.

The 11th na-tional scything championship and the 4th football tournament in a boggy meadow will become the festi-val's highlights. As many as 33 teams of scythemen and 10 football teams have registered for the event as against 23 and 8 teams in 2016, respectively. Partak-ing in the scything competition will be representatives of Pripyat National Park, Berezinsky Biosphere Re-serve, Vygonoshansky Landscape Reserve, Zvanets Landscape Reserve, the non-governmental organiza-tion APB BirdLife Belarus, and other organizations. The competitions on 100m-long and 3m-wide strips of land of fenny grass will see teams of the Brest Oblast Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, agricultural companies of Bereza District, the R&D Center for Geology, and the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radiation Control and Environ-mental Monitoring.

Sporovsky Biological Reserve will also welcome some honorary guests, among them representatives of Belarus' Natural Resources and Environmental

Protection Ministry, the Forestry Minis-try, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the EU, the UNDP, and Polish col-leagues from Biebr-za National Park and Bialowieza National Park.

The fourth edition of the football tour-nament in a boggy meadow will bring together teams from Brest, Kobrin, Drogichin District Executive Commit-tee, Bereza District

Executive Committee, Brest Oblast Forestry Compa-ny, and the Russian embassy in Belarus.

Guests and participants of the eco festival will be invited to take an eco-path tour, and to observe ani-mals and birds of the famous reserve. The festival's program features football freestyle, air balloon rides, and other events. An amusement park will be running for children, a fair of arts and crafts will be arranged, too. Another entertaining event will be a performance by the best local art teams.

BELTA, 2.08.2017

Green Belarus Green Belarus News & EventsNews & Events

in Belarusin Belarus http://renata.kz/files/IMG_1833.jpg

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Over $3 billion worth of biotechnology products have been made in Belarus in the last five years, BelTA learned from Emilia Kolomiyets, Di-rector General of the R&D group Chemical Synthesis and Biotechnologies, Director of the Microbiology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB).

According to the source, an essential breakthrough in bio-technologies has been secured in the last few years. Various kinds of biotechnology products worth over $3 billion were made in Belarus in the last five years. Over 170 modern biotechnolo-gies were created over the course of five years. As many as 12 existing manufacturing facili-ties were upgraded. Eight centers and labs were established as well as nine new enterprises and 39 biotechnology manufacturing facilities.

White and green biotechnologies that cater to the production sector and agriculture are most advanced in Belarus. ―Those are primarily bio-diesel and biogas. These areas are very actively developing. I think in the future efforts will focus on biofuel such as bioethanol and biobutanol. As far as agriculture is concerned, modern farming technologies are being created using biotechnology advances and techniques designed to improve productiveness,‖ noted the director of the Microbiology Insti-tute.

Certain accomplishments have been secured in the area of red biotechnology, which is related to biopharmaceutics and bio-medicine. ―Cell biotechnologies, genome biotechnologies are widely used. Our microbe bio-technologies have moved on, in particular, the synthesis of fer-ments such as nucleic acids, which are vital for making phar-maceutical substances and ready-made medications. All of it allows us to create original medi-cations,‖ added Emilia Kolomi-yets.

Microbial drug with various appli-cations account for a considera-ble part of the biotechnology products made in Belarus. Agri-culture uses biological crop pro-tection agents, microbial fertiliz-

ers, probiotics, biological decontaminants, biological preservation agents for vegetable raw materials, ferment products, fodder protein, amino acids, and vitamins. Power engineering industry uses various kinds of biofuel such as biobutanol, bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas. Healthcare industry uses raw materials for pharmaceutical industry, biopharmaceu-tic technologies, and diagnostic preparations. Food industry uses yeast, sugar substitutes, food additives, and organic acids.

BELTA, 30.08.2017

OVER $3BN WORTH OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS MADE IN BELARUS

IN LAST FIVE YEARS

Belarus is interested in developing trade and economic rela-tions with Kazakhstan and also advancing cooperation in alterna-tive energy, Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin said during an official visit to Kazakhstan.

During the visit, Anatoly Kalinin went to see EXPO 2017. He noted that the expo demonstrates Kazakhstan's recent achievements in econo-my, energy and art. Implementation of the principles of Belarus' national strategy of sustainable social and economic development until 2020 is closely related to the Astana EXPO-2017 theme. Transition to environ-mentally-friendly, resource-efficient and innovative development of the economy, sound environmental management, rational use of renewable and non-renewable resources, promotion of international cooperation and social partnership are in the focus of Belarus National Pavilion.

Anatoly Kalinin stressed that EXPO 2017 is the event with a global reach, the goal of which is to preserve our planet. Belarus considers its participation in the expo as a strategically important step towards the

development of green economy and close bilateral cooperation in various avenues and sectors.

For his part, CEO of NC Astana EXPO 2017 Akhmetzhan Yessimov praised Belarus Pavilion for fully covering the theme of the expo The Future Energy. "The pavilion showcases all achievements that Belarus has made in renewable energy. The country has also showcased the goods it manufactures. This is the only pavilion with an art gallery on the second floor that is very popular among visitors of the exhibition. I wish every success to the friendly people of Belarus," Akhmetzhan Yessimov said.

Belarus National Day at Astana Expo 2017 is due on 13 August. Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov is expected to attend.

BELTA, 8.08.2017

BELARUS KEEN TO DEVELOP COOPERATION WITH KAZAKHSTAN IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) has pre-sented the first Belarusian electric car. The event took place at the national proving ground for mobile vehicles of the NASB's Mechanical Engineering Insti-tute, BelTA has learned.

―One year ago we approached Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov with the proposal to create an electric car. He backed the idea. Less than one year later you can see an experi-mental model with all the parame-ters, the look, and with the electric components we have created with assistance of other companies with the relevant competences,‖ said Sergei Poddubko, Director General of the Mechanical Engineering In-stitute.

In his words, the car has been designed for urban conditions. The motor's output is 60kW or some 80hp. The power is sufficient for urban conditions. ―The top speed we have tested in this proving ground is 110kmph. We have not clearly determined the time from 0 to 100kmph yet. We use the car sparingly and therefore have installed a digital safety system. We are gradually improving its capabilities. We will find out everything it is capable of with time. If necessary, we will make adjustments,‖ said the official.

The car's battery can be charged using the regular 220V power sock-et or a special charger. If the voltage is 220V, it takes six hours to fully charge the battery. If the voltage is higher, then it takes about four

hours, noted Sergei Poddubko.

The experimental electric car is based on the stock car Geely SC7, which is assembled in Belarus. The experimental car will allow finding optimal compositions for electric components, fine-tuning their parameters, paving way for the creation of a batch-produced pro-totype followed by the possible commercial production of electric cars in Belarus.

All the components of the electric traction drive are made in Belarus. The developers only had to import the drive battery from the Russian company Ener Z, which had won the relevant tender.

Instructions have been given to start producing batteries in Bela-rus. The materials research center

of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has come up with a new effective material, which can be used to create super capacitors to power electric drive vehicles.

BELTA, 22.08.2017

FIRST BELARUSIAN ELECTRIC CAR UNVEILED

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COMFORTABLE LIFE AND EFFICIENT ECONOMY One of the

most important global Goals of S u s t a i n a b l e Development, adopted at a session of the United Nations Organisation by the heads of 193 states, is the provision of accessible and efficient energy w o r l d w i d e . Goal #7 calls on us to ensure universal ac-cess to afforda-ble, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. It’s an acute issue, requiring the efforts of the whole global community. Power engineering is recognised as a major factor affecting global climate change, influencing the rate of climatic change. Distressing forecasts regarding expected warming make it vital that efficient power engi-neering becomes a major component of global sustainable develop-ment. In growing our economy, we must contain our consumption of fuel and energy resources. It’s a policy that Belarus fully supports.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), energy consumption (measured within Belarus‘ GDP) has more than halved in the last 15 years, rivalling that of countries with similar climatic conditions, such as Canada and Finland. This is one of Europe‘s highest rates of movement to reach parame-ters of low-carbon development. However, much still needs to be done; the modern economy of Belarus consumes about 30 percent more energy per GDP capita than other countries within the Organisation for Economic Cooper-ation and Development (OECD).

An affordable way to implement these plans is to reduce the energy con-sumption of the housing sector. At present, more than 1.5 million residential buildings (with a total area of around 250 million sq.m) are in use, consuming more than 20 percent of total electricity and around half of all heat energy generated in the Republic.

Residential buildings are the largest consumers of energy resources. Taking into account that more than 85 percent of Belarus‘ gross energy con-sumption comes from imported fuels, the state is paying special attention to the construction of energy efficient housing. Comparison with other European countries shows that Belarus has major potential to reduce residential energy consumption.

The UN Development Programme, together with the Republic of Belarus and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), is helping the country realise this potential via an international project. ‗Improving the Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in the Republic of Belarus‘ has $5 billion of funding. International experts from Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and Lithuania are making their professional contribution, as are national experts. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy Efficiency of the State Committee on Standardisation (the national executive agency) is partnering the project, alongside the Ministry of Architecture and Construction, and the Institute of Housing (NIPTIS named after S.S. Ataev). Other partners include MAPID JSC, Grodnograzhdanproekt Institute, Grodnozhilstroy JSC, and Mogilev‘s Depart-ment for Capital Construction.

The most important goal of the project, which has been running since 2013 and which should be finished in mid-2018, is to create conditions to reduce energy consumption in the housing sector, while aiming to improve the quality of housing. To achieve significant progress in this sphere, it‘s necessary to launch new design solutions and contemporary energy-saving engineering equipment. It‘s essential to assess efficiency, and find ways to improve legislation, while enhancing the quality of construction and mainte-nance. In this respect, the project aims to at least halve residential consump-tion of heating and hot water. To achieve this, experts have analysed ad-vanced foreign experience and best domestic practice: to reduce energy loss for heating and hot water supply in high-rise buildings; and to promote the use of secondary and renewable energy sources in such buildings.

Research has been conducted as part of the project, in fifty-five high-rise buildings of various ages and design, in four Belarusian cities, across three heating seasons. This has shown that modern domestic high-rise housing built after 2000 tends to be well insulated, thanks to new materials, with thermal properties in line with modern European standards. The consumption of heating per square meter in such housing is, on average, half that of hous-ing constructed before 2000. However, even old buildings can be brought close to this level by having modern insulation elements added.

Research also shows that buildings require some degree of natural venti-lation, to avoid mildew appearing. As such, they should not be ‗hermetically insulated‘. What tends to happen is that residents open a window to bring in fresh air and, in so doing, allow the cold into their flat, significantly reducing the efficiency of measures to reduce heat loss. A decade ago, when MAPID JSC was liaising with the Institute of Housing, it was suggested that such buildings incorporate a combined extract-and-input system of ventilation, with heat recuperation of the air.

Adding this experience to their armoury, UNDP-GEF experts have sug-gested a whole range of technical solutions. These encompass the reduction of energy loss via hot water supply and the production of energy from sec-ondary and renewable sources. However, to promote the speedy implementa-tion of these measures, we need to do more than copy foreign experience. To eliminate existing infrastructural, educational and investment barriers to enhanced energy efficiency, we must demonstrate successful design, con-struction and exploitation of highrise residential buildings, with specific indica-tors for energy consumption rivalling the best abroad.

The UN Development Programme, together with the Republic of Belarus and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), is helping the country realise its potential via an international project. ‗Improving the Energy Efficiency of Residential Buildings in the Republic of Belarus‘ has $5 billion of funding

As part of the project, partners have constructed three second generation energy-efficient high-rise residential buildings, with a thermally-insulated ‗envelope‘ and contemporary energysaving engineering systems of ventila-tion, heating and hot water supply:

• in Minsk: a single-entrance 19- storey 133-apartment large-panel resi-dential building;

• in Grodno: a three-entrance 10- storey 120-apartment residential build-ing constructed from brick partition crosswalls, with the outer walls made of foam concrete blocks;

• in Mogilev: a four-entrance 10- storey 180-apartment semi-frame panel residential building, with sandwich panels.

These buildings, now occupied, are a model for nationwide use, enhanc-ing thermal resistance and optimising use of space, while recording consump-tion of electrical and heat energy. To save on annual energy consumption by up to 82 percent, the following measures are in place:

• reduction of heat energy loss via air renewal, shifting towards a com-bined extract-and-input system of ventilation with heat recuperation of vent emissions (in all three buildings);

• reduction of heat energy loss via residential wastewater, with heat recovery from water drained from bathrooms (in all three buildings);

• utilisation of ground heat potential via thermal foundation piles and from urban sewage drains, through a special heat-exchange insertion, using heat pumps (the building in Grodno);

• use of solar-cell panels (the building in Grodno);

• use of solar-heat collectors or helio-collectors (the building in Mogilev).

All the above-mentioned systems have been installed and successfully put into operation, with their efficiency — energy and economic — being assessed over the coming heating season. Using estimated data from design documents, the new systems could reduce heat energy loss by 2.5- fold, with more than 2-fold saving on energy for hot water supply. A threesectional 10-storey house with similar systems will save between 3,500 and 5,000 tonnes of equivalent fuel over a period of fifty years of operation, with air change, temperature of rooms and temperature of hot water remaining within the nominal range.

If 5 million sq.m of housing is annually put into exploitation, with the applica-tion of technical solutions similar to those used in the pilot building in Mogilev, fuel and energy re-sources equating to 70,000 tonnes can be saved. If such houses come into use countrywide, the state could save $17 million on imported fuel.

Residents will enjoy improved sanitary-hygienic conditions and be able to regulate them to suit their own habits. According to our assessments, the price of building, per square metre, will increase by just 15-20 percent. At the same time, specific heat consump-tion in such houses will halve (compared to that of existing new houses) and could fall four-fold compared to older buildings. This will reduce utility bills, while maintaining reasonable per unit tariffs for heating. Residents could save Br200-300 per year on their bills, with innovations paying for themselves within around eight years.

The benefits are obvious, especially when all equipment is supplied by domestic enterprises and assembled by local specialists. Of course, the mar-ket will require the expansion of infrastructure, including the enhancement of design, construction and assembly. Operating organisations and residents will need to understand how systems work, to ensure best results. Residents are ‗investors‘ in this respect.

Naturally, there are obstacles to overcome. The new code on ‗Energy Efficiency of Buildings‘ (a similar act to that used by the EU) is awaiting ap-proval, as is a bloc of connecting normative documents. We must establish legislation to govern the energy characteristics of buildings, setting out the specific consumption of energy for heating, ventilation, hot water supply, electricity supply and air conditioning, as well as confirming procedures of assessment (certification and energy audit).

Existing cross-subsidisation and current tariff policy is doing little to moti-vate developers, builders, or those running housing and public utilities, or those dwelling in highrise buildings. At present, tariffs cover just 63-88 per-cent of the true cost of electricity, and just 17 percent of the cost of heating. With such disproportion, there‘s little to inspire the launch of engineering solutions (as trialled as part of the UNDP-GEF project), such as energy-efficient heat pumps and combined extract-and-input systems of ventilation (with heat recuperation of vent emissions). It should be also mentioned that the internal rate of return of heat utilisation system of sullage and even the system of solar collectors considerably reduces.

Design and construction entities lack experience in using the latest ener-gy-efficient engineering systems for residential housing. Moreover, we lack sufficient domestic manufacturers of necessary components and a monitoring system for energy-efficiency in residential buildings, to ensure an effective audit. Maintenance of buildings is also essential, yet we lack personnel with experience or correct training. Last, but not least, residents need to be made aware of how to play their part in saving energy, using the new systems.

However, where desire exists to improve, results will surely be seen. The project continues to work towards eliminating these barriers.

By Vladimir Mikhailov

Belarus, № 8 (1007), 2017

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The Belarusian people's electric car may cost about $14,000, BelTA learned from Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov.

In his words, Belarusian electric car developers will surely try to reach performance standards on par with the latest imports. At the same time electric cars may come in different classes and dif-ferent models. An economy-class car, a car for the people may be the first one to roll off the assembly line. The next model may be made for richer customers. It will be followed by a premium-class car, said the official.

Asked about possible prices for the economy-class electric car, the middle-range one, and the premium-class car, Vladimir Gusakov noted that the prices have been set at roughly $10,000-14,000 for the people's car, up to $20,000 for the middle-range car, with no price yet available for the premium car.

According to the source, only a prototype has been developed already and has passed some trials. ―We've reached the standard parameters in our own class. Tesla cars and our BelGee-based car represent different classes. You have to understand that ours is only a prototype that needs more work on every parameter. Our car can now travel for 100-120km on one charge. We need 200-300km or more. We will work on it. The speed of our car is only 100-120km for now. We intend to raise it to 150km and more. But in this class our prototype has reached the parameters we'd intended to reach,‖ remarked the official.

The head of Belarus' Academy of Sciences admitted that the Belarusian electric car developers are catching up with the rest of the world in some things. At the same time some solutions are unique such as supercapaci-tors, which represent a major departure from the mainstream design. ―We have our own solutions with regard to the body, the drivetrain, switching, accumulation, and gears. In addition to catch-up solutions we are going to come up with some solutions the world has not seen yet,‖ stated Vladimir Gusakov.

―These days science is capable of handling even the most complicated tasks. We believe that creating our own national electric car with excellent technical and economic parameters is a task we can handle,‖ he added.

In turn, Sergei Poddubko, Director General of the Mechanical Engineer-ing Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, noted that the developers are working to increase the speed and the travel distance of the electric car. ―All the parameters of the electric car are primarily determined by its battery, the ability of the battery to keep charge. We are working on it. First of all, we need to properly place the battery inside the car. Second, the Academy of Sciences is working on a new type of energy accumulator. We are talking about a new material for supercapacitors. If the project goes well — there is no reason for it not to — the cost of the energy accu-mulator will be much lower,‖ said Sergei Poddubko. He also underlined the importance and the need to create infrastructure for electric cars.

BELTA, 31.08.2017

FUTURE BELARUSIAN ECONOMY-CLASS ELECTRIC CAR PRICED AT ABOUT $14,000

MAXIMUM LOCALIZATION OF BELARUSIAN ELECTRIC

CAR PRODUCTION IN ORDER

Scientists of the National Acade-my of Sciences of Belarus will have to localize the production of the Belarusian electric car as much as possible. Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Scienc-es of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov made the statement during the presentation of the first Belarusian electric car on 22 August, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Gusakov said: ―The experi-mental model is ready for driving. Lo-calizing its production is the next step. We are capable of 100% localization. ‖

In his words, the entire electric system of the car has been developed by Belarusian scientists. Ways to start batch production are under consideration. It is possible to set up an as-sembly line shop at premises of the National Academy of Sciences of Bela-rus. BelAZ suggests setting up the enterprise at its own premises. Belkommunmash wants the same. ―We will have to calculate where it will be profitable. But we will definitely make Belarusian electric cars,‖

stressed the chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

According to Vladimir Gusakov, the ex-perimental car boasts a very high quality. ―Foreign experts have come here, includ-ing from Germany. They showed a strong interest and suggested cooperation,‖ he said.

―We have decided to create an electric car of our own because the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has a serious potential and is capable of tack-ling any tasks. The electric car is one of them. We are now working on a new satellite. We have created one of the most competitive unmanned aerial vehi-cle systems and a bicycle powered by a

wheel hub motor,‖ noted Vladimir Gusakov.

BELTA, 22.08.2017

Russia's Sverdlovsk Oblast interested in making electrobuses together with Belarus

There are plans to make flex-ible solar cells in B e l a r u s , B e l T A l e a r n e d from Ser-g e i C h i z h i k , First Dep-uty Chair-man of the Presidium of the N a t i o n a l Ac a d e my

of Sciences of Belarus, on 18 August.

According to the source, the Isovac enterprise in Belarus has started producing solar cells. ―I certainly wish we could master the production of solar cells on a flexible substrate like panels on a polymeric base. It would expand the range of applications — any mats, a cover for a car, and so on,‖ said Sergei Chizhik.

Developing nanotechnologies, Belarus has secured considerable progress in creating new electric transport products, water filters, and nano fertilizers. For instance, the Nanoplant fertilizers are now sold in Baltic Sea countries and are about to be sold in Scandinavia. Their high quality has been confirmed by a German lab.

Apart from that, Belarusian scientists have not scrapped their plans to develop additive 3D printing technologies. ―This area is going to de-velop very fast. Printing with cells and biological ink also has a bright future as far as healthcare is concerned. I think we will be able to talk about some accomplishments next year,‖ concluded Sergei Chizhik.

BELTA, 18.08.2017

PLANS TO MAKE FLEXIBLE SOLAR CELLS IN BELARUS

ELECTRIC SCOOTER IN DEVELOPMENT IN BELARUS An electric scooter is in development in Belarus, BelTA learned

from Nikolai Yankevich, Director General of the instrument-making factory Optron of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

The executive said: ―We have already developed an electric bicycle. An electric scooter is the next step. A prototype is already being assem-bled. We intend to send it for trials by the end of the month. There are plans to retail about 500 electric scooters as early as H1 2018.‖

Future plans include starting the production of other kinds of individ-ual electric transport such as gyro scooters, electric rickshaws, electric

skateboards, and electric kick scooters. ―We intend to finish developing this global project within one year in order to start batch production with-in three years,‖ noted Nikolai Yankevich.

This year the Optron factory has modernized a motorized wheel for light transport vehicles, has developed a new control module and soft-ware. This motorized wheel is used to develop individual electric transport solutions.

BELTA, 29.08.2017

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Partic-ipants f r o m 2 0 c o u n -t r i e s g a t h -ered at t h e Augus-t o w C a n a l for the b i k e ride in s u p -port of the UN

Sustainable Development Goals on 26 August, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian ministers, representatives of diplomatic missions, heads of the UN missions and foreign organ-izations in Belarus, representatives of the government bodies, public organizations, sports and tourist organi-zations from across the country, lovers of cycling and outdoor activities, including people with disabilities, took part in the bike ride in support of the UN Sus-tainable Development Goals 2017 - Bike4SDGs. In addition to the bike ride the program included kayaking and Nordic walking tours.

―This year, the event is dedicated to the Grodno Oblast tourism potential, healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle, and the gender-equal society. These are all part of the Sustainable Development Goals which the whole world, including the Republic of Bela-rus, shall meet by 2030,‖ UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha said. For the first time such a festival was held in the Naliboki Pushcha national park in 2016. This year's venue is the Augustow Canal which is a unique place interesting for tourists. Belovezh-skaya Pushcha is expected to host the event next year. There are plans to make the festival an annual event.

―In Belarus there is a great number of stunningly beautiful places, and we would like to show them to the guests from abroad,‖ Sanaka Samarasinha said. This year the bike ride was included into the program

of traditional regional festival ―The Augustow Canal in the culture of the three peoples‖.

Among the participants were Vladimir Kravtsov, the Chairman of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee, Justice Minister Oleg Slizhevsky and Sport and Tourism Minister Alexander Shamko.

―The format of the event when it combines cultural, touristic ands sport programs is one of the most successful,‖ said Alexander Shamko. ―The event brought together around 10,000 participants, spectators, tourists. This suggests that these new approaches in organization work successfully,‖ he noted.

Many brought their families for the event. For example, Lithuania's Ambassador to Belarus Andrius Pulokas arrived at the Augustow Canal with his wife and two sons. ―Such events bring people closer. The visa-free regime at the Augustow Canal brings nations closer. Now we need to make an even greater use of the joint tourist potential,‖ the diplomat said.

The 18km bike ride started from the Dombrovka sluice. The partici-pants visited the most beautiful and interesting places on the Belarusian part of the Augustow Canal. The ride finished in the village of Radziwilki

where all participants attended a ceremony to unveil the plaque dedi-cated to the former owners of the place.

The p rog ram o f Bike4SDGs 2017 at the Augustow Canal also included the summer film festival ―Goal No. 17: Partnership for Sustainable Develop-ment‖ organized by the UN Department of Pub-lic Information. On 27 August Grodno gave a start to the initiative ―Thought matters‖ - a ten-day 460-kilometer cycling tour from Grod-no to Minsk. Partici-pants will travel by bike

from Grodno to Minsk, will talk to locals, visit the pilot territories of the UNDP projects and get to know the local culture and history.

BELTA, 28.08.2017

MINISTERS, DIPLOMATS TAKE PART IN BIKE RIDE ALONG AUGUSTOW CANAL

PLANS TO BUILD WASTE INCINERATOR PLANT IN MINSK There are plans to build a waste in-c in e ra t o r plant in M i n s k , head of the d e p a r t -ment coor-d i n a t i n g the han-dling of secondary m a t e r i a l resources

at the state institution Operator of Secondary Material Resources Anatoly Shagun told a press conference, BelTA has learned.

The need for the construction of a waste incinerator can be explained by a high population density in the capital and Minsk District, while the opportunities for burying household waste have already considerably

limited. The worldwide practices of burning waste allows for a considera-ble reduction in its amount – up to 10-15%. Besides, incineration of waste will produce heat energy.

―Two sites have been chosen for the implementation of the project. These are industrial zones in the west and south-west of the city,‖ said Anatoly Shagun.

Belarus has no experience in building and operating such a plant. About €200 million will be required to design, build and launch the plant with the annual capacity of 500,000-600,000 tonnes of waste. Another €100 million is envisaged for capital and running repairs for the period of up to 2035. ―The most acceptable option for getting the funds is the organization of an investment competition among companies with neces-sary technologies and the corresponding experience,‖ Anatoly Shagun noted.

The construction of a waste incineration plant is envisaged in the national strategy on handling solid household waste and secondary ma-terial resources in Belarus through 2035.

BELTA, 3.08.2017

BELARUS PLANS DRAMATIC CUT IN NUMBER OF WASTE

LANDFILLS BY 2035 Belarus is planning to reduce the number of municipal solid

waste landfills by 15 times by 2035, BelTA learned from Artem Shkryl, the head of the department of water supply, sanitation and utilities at the Belarusian Housing and Utilities Ministry.

―In Belarus there are currently around 1,800 municipal solid waste landfills. By 2035 we are planning to reduce their number 15 times through the regionalization of landfills. In other words, one landfill will be designed to service several districts. For this we will develop a new state program for construction of new landfills and rehabilitation of old ones,‖ Artem Shkryl said.

Most landfills were built during the Soviet times and do not fully conform with the modern environmental requirements. The new landfills will be compliant with all environmental standards and requirements and will apply modern technology to remove filtrate, to control soil pollution, water, etc. They will be equipped with modern weight equipment, which

will allow for more effective accounting and control over waste dumping process.

Old landfills will undergo reclamation, which involves the complete restoration of the soil. ―Part of the waste will be used as compost for soil remediation. The waste will be also treated to extract secondary material resources. The remaining waste will be distributed either on new landfills or will be disposed of,‖ he said.

Construction of new landfills and re-cultivation of old ones are envis-aged in the national strategy for treatment of solid household waste and secondary material resources in Belarus by 2035. It involves the devel-opment of the waste accounting system, separate waste collection, logis-tics, infrastructure, training of specialists. ―Implementation of the nation-al strategy will help reduce the costs of municipal solid waste treatment by 20%,‖ Artem Shkryl said.

BELTA, 4.08.2017

NEWS & EVENTS IN BELARUS

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NATIONAL REPORT ON BELARUSIAN

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT'S STRESS TESTS

BY LATE AUGUST The na-

tional report on results of stress tests of the Belarusian nu-clear power plant will be ready by late August, BelTA learned from O l g a L u g o v s k a y a , Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safe-ty Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor).

According to the source, work on the report is nearing completion. The report on results of stress testing the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be ready by the end of the month.

The report will be translated into English and forwarded to the European Commission in line with previously made arrangements. The European Commission will select specialists to work with the report. If necessary, they can visit Belarus in addition to remotely perusing the re-port, noted Olga Lugovskaya.

Belarus stress-tested its nuclear power plant in 2016 using European methods and taking

into account recommendations based on the European Com-mission's and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators G r o u p ' s (ENSREG) specifi-cations. As part of the stress testing process the resilience of the Belarusian nuclear power plant as well as

its adaptation to extreme impacts was tested. The safe operation of the nuclear power plant in the face of extreme external impacts was evaluated. Consequences of natural phenomena were fore-casted such as combinations of floods, extreme weather conditions and external impacts, conse-quences of the nuclear power plant's losing safety functions due to the loss of external power.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is built using the Russian standard Generation III+ de-sign AES-2006 near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.

BELTA, 24.08.2017

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BELARUS TO CUT DOWN EXPENSES ON

MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT BY 20%

There are plans to reduce the cost of municipal waste management in Belarus by 20%, Anatoly Shagun, head for coordina-tion of secondary raw materials manage-ment at the state-run company Operator of Secondary Material Resources, told the me-dia on 3 August, BelTA has learned.

Waste management system in Belarus requires some €100 million a year. It includes waste collection, transport, sorting, and disposal. Individuals and legal entities cover 90% of these expenses. The rest is paid from the budget. The government does not subsidize waste manage-ment in Minsk at all while covering a significant part of the expenses in rural populated centers. Although the costs are high there, the amount of waste is small.

According to Anatoly Shagun, Belarus' national strategy on solid municipal waste and secondary material resources management for

the period till 2035 provides for 20% reduction in the expenses on waste management. ―This will be possible if we start using highly-effective equipment, amend waste management tech-niques for modern equipment, increase the vol-ume of containers, the capacity of garbage trucks, and the level of waste compaction. An-other source to cut down the expenses is to implement a deposit system for the collection of disposable package.

In 2016 as much as 599,500 tonnes of secondary raw materials was produced from municipal waste (16% of the total amount of secondary raw materials produced in the country per annum). ―This is a good number, comparable to that in developed European countries. We have the reserves to boost it up to 25%,‖ Ana-toly Shagun said.

BELTA, 3.08.2017

The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) will carry out a peer review of the Bela-rusian nuclear power plant in 2018, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk on 23 August.

Apart from that, Belarus will welcome a number of IAEA missions and will host a number of educational seminars before the nuclear power plant goes online. A comprehensive mission to evaluate the Belarusian nuclear power plant's readiness for operation is scheduled for 2018.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk pointed out that Belarus openly shares information about progress in building the nuclear power plant with internation-al nuclear energy agencies, neighboring coun-tries, and other parties concerned. ―In line with the commitments we have undertaken we have stress tested the nuclear power plant since safety is our key priority during the construction and operation of the nuclear power plant. A national

report on results of the stress tests is being pre-pared now. We have also agreed to have the results independently evaluated by the European Commission. The European Commission is now setting up bodies to check our national report,‖ said the official.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is built using the Russian standard 3+ generation design AES-2006 near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for com-missioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.

WANO unites all the operators of nuclear power plants (a total of about 450 power-generating units). The organization aims to im-prove the safety of all the nuclear power plants in the world. The state enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant joined WANO in 2016. .

BELTA, 23.08.2017

WANO TO INSPECT BELARUSIAN

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN 2018