Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaly Holovnia stated that Ukrainian business is interested in the production of biomethane, and its export, in particular to European markets, will become an important tool for the development of the industry.
This happened at the discussion of promoting the export of biomethane and supporting Ukrainian farmers with Ann Bersio, adviser on trade issues of the Trade and Economic Department of the EU Representation in Ukraine, reports Ministry of Agricultural Policy.
Holovnya noted that draft law No. 9456 "On amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine regarding customs clearance of biomethane", which will unblock exports, has already been prepared for the first reading in the Verkhovna Rada.
"The production of biomethane and biogas is beneficial for business and the state. Processing of agricultural and livestock waste is additional efficiency and added value for farmers. It is also organic fertilizers as a result of waste processing," he said.
Holovnya emphasized that the first biomethane plant has already been launched in Ukraine and plans to open 5 more by the end of 2023.
According to him, the biomethane production market will develop faster if European businesses open enterprises for the production of equipment for biomethane plants in Ukraine. In addition, it will support farmers who, due to the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, work in difficult conditions.
Bersio expressed solidarity and assured that the EU would support the development of the Ukrainian agricultural sector.
Earlier, on the TV channel Rada Holovnya, he said that Ukraine can produce 1 billion cubic meters of biomethane by 2030 and more than 16 billion cubic meters by 2050. The properties of this gas are similar to traditional natural gas. However, it helps reduce CO2 emissions, because biogas is produced from straw, manure and animal waste and other agricultural and food waste.
He emphasized that Europe is very interested in Ukrainian renewable gases. Thus, in February 2023, Ukraine and the EU signed a memorandum on strategic partnership in the field of renewable gases, namely hydrogen and biomethane. In addition to biogas production, it will also contribute to the creation of new jobs and decentralization of the energy system.
He added that there are currently no state programs to support biogas production. Probably, they will appear in the near future.
Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that in July the Verkhovna Rada registered draft law No. 9456 “On amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine regarding customs clearance of biomethane”, which is designed to unblock the export of biogas to the EU.
As EcoPolitic previously reported, LLC "Vinnytsia Poultry Factory" will receive a $30 million loan for the modernization of the biogas plant in the village of Vasylivka and production of liquefied biomethane.
