The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to support Belarus in accelerating energy efficiency programmes.

The bank has approved €90 million loan to support investments in biomass-based heat generators, the upgrading of district heating systems and thermal renovation of multi-apartment buildings.

The loan will also support the modernisation of grids in all six Belarus regions.

Gas-fired boilers with biomass boilers will produce around 1 000GWh per year.

The projects supported by the loan will generate energy savings of around 60GWh/year whilst reducing dependence on imported fuel.

Overall, the project will generate substantial environmental benefits with CO2 savings, and improve the well-being of the country's citizens.

The loan is being issued through EIB’s EU4Energy Programme.

The programme covers all EU support to improve energy supply, security and connectivity, as well as to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewables in the Eastern Partnership countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.