Ukrainian bioenergy development as a component of energy security, post-war reconstruction and sustainable development of communities is one of the priority areas of work of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine  (SAEE).

"State Energy Efficiency Agency actively implements state policy in the field of alternative fuels. Our team contributes to the bioenergy development by developing draft laws, analyzing problems and looking for effective ways to solve them," the Deputy Head of the SAEE Viktor Bilko emphasized during the opening of the intersectoral dialogue "Ukraine's unused bioenergy potential: a comprehensive view of targeted use".

With the direct participation of the Agency, draft laws have been developed regarding:

• developing the solid biofuel market (electronic biofuel trading system);

• introducing a mechanism for supporting energy plants cultivation;

• liquid biofuels market development;

• reducing the tax burden on bioenergy facilities by establishing a zero tax rate on CO₂ emissions.

"In order to fully utilize the potential of bioenergy, it is worth considering opportunities for creating energy clusters. They combine bioenergy projects with other agricultural projects, energy utilization of waste, production of energy efficient materials and other initiatives. This will make it possible to comprehensively revive the region, give jobs to residents and temporarily displaced persons", Viktor Bilko noted.

"Today we are intensifying our work and invite all stakeholders to cooperate with us: central and local authorities, leading associations, business, international organizations," emphasized the Deputy Head of the SAEE and called on the participants of the event to engage in dialogue.

Olena Lenska, director of the Renewable Energy Development Department of the State Energy Efficiency Agency, told more about the Agency's work. Outlining the potential of Ukraine for the production of solid and liquid biofuels, as well as biomethane, she spoke about legislative initiatives developed to stimulate each direction and urged all to use a cluster approach for energy transformation and community recovery.

"Creating energy clusters will make it possible not only to solve the issue of energy supply of the community, but also, thanks to the unification of projects of various industries, to activate economic processes, creating conditions for people's lives and sustainable development for the long term. Currently, in some regions of Ukraine, there are a number of idle sugar and alcohol factories, which have a developed infrastructure and can be used for clusters development", Olena Lenska noted.

For reference: The event is organized on the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Communication and Public Relations Department