Italian company to begin construction of CHPP in Brest in 2013

BREST, 4 February (BelTA) – BelEnergia, an enterprise with the share of Italian capital, intends to start the construction of a combined heat and power plant (CHPP) in Brest in 2013, BelTA learnt from Alexander Kovalevich, the head of energy and fuel at the committee on architecture and construction of the Brest Oblast Executive Committee.

The project to build the Brest CHPP is included in the Belarusian energy system development program for the period up to 2016.

The environmental impact report (EIA) of the CHP plant in Brest is currently the topic of public debates. The Italian side is planning to complete the project within three years. The project is estimated at more than €415 million. The Italian company plans to invest €50 million in the construction of the infrastructure (urban heat and electrical networks, gas pipelines, etc.).

The CHPP will be located on the eastern outskirts of Brest, near the plant of construction materials. The environmental aspect of the project is very important for Brest citizens. Ten years ago the city was considering the construction of a coal-fired heat and power plant. However, this idea was not supported neither by residents, nor the environmentalists or the regional authorities. BelEnergia’s CHPP will run on natural gas, and will use the equipment meeting the EU environmental standards.

Another important aspect is that the new plant will also help save money, to be spent on repairs of the existing heat-generating facilities VRK-1 and VRK-2. According to Alexander Kovalevich, with the CHPP in operation, VRK-2 will be decommissioned, and VRK-1 will be used only during peak loads. It is expected that the new CHPP will produce the first electric and heat energy in 2016.