The Belarusian government is discussing the construction of a number of hydroelectric projects along the Dnieper River.

Sources report that investors in Russia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, China, India and Poland are being courted for the work, which would create an unspecified number of new hydropower plants. A separate 20-MW hydroelectric scheme on the Neman River is also being discussed.

As HydroWorld.com reported in May, Belarus' Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich has made development of hydropower projects a priority, saying that the country must change its investment scheme to secure funding.

Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko announced in April 2011 that an additional nine hydropower plants are to be constructed by 2020.