Biomethane market creation is important in the context of energy security, decarbonization and compliance with obligations in the process of European integration of Ukraine. The Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) Valerii Bezus spoke about the development of this direction, opening an international discussion on biomethane within the Energy Security Forum.

"We have done thorough work to create conditions for biomethane production. The Parliament has adopted the law to stimulate this direction, the Government has approved the procedure for operating biomethane guarantees of origin register, developed by the State Energy Efficiency Agency. The regulator, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, has made changes to the Codes of the Gas Transport System and Gas Distribution Systems, which allows biomethane supply into the network," the Head Valerii Bezus explained.

"Today there are quite optimistic forecasts: Ukraine can produce billions of cubic meters of biomethane. But I think we should be more conservative and discuss how we can advance it to at least millions of cubic meters of biomethane. This will make it possible to assess the further possibilities of biomethane production and supply in order to maintain energy security not only in Ukraine, but also in the whole of Europe," Valerii Bezus added.

Representatives of the Energy Community, the European Biogas Association, the European Register of Renewable Gases ERGaR, the German company "Landwärme GmbH" and the Association of Energy Engineers of Spain expressed interest in developing biomethane market in Ukraine.

"Ukraine is making great efforts, even during the war, to develop the biomethane sector. We are aware of the adopted legislative foundation. Investors are already showing interest. In the future, we need further work and compliance with the requirements of EU directives," said Karolina Cegir, Senior Gas Expert of the Energy Community Secretariat.

Harmen Dekker, Director of the European Biogas Association (EBA), agreed with Mr. Bezus that the forecasts for the biomethane market in Ukraine and the EU are very optimistic. However, it is important to develop this direction, because it will contribute to decarbonization, additional jobs creation, the development of the agricultural sector, and most importantly, the use of local fuels.

Harmen Dekker also invited representatives of Ukraine to join the "Biomethane Industrial Partnership" recently created with the participation of the European Commission and emphasized on the interest of foreign investors in cooperation with Ukraine.

Jesse Scharf, President of the Board of the European Renewable Gas Registry (ERGaR), spoke about the important role of guarantees of origin in stimulating biomethane production and use.

Spanish experience in biogas and biomethane sectors was shared by Javier Cervera, Vice President of the Association of Energy Engineers of Spain (AEE Spain).

Summing up, the Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine (SAEE) paid attention to the importance of the projects that foresee full cycle of biomethane production and use. This direction should also be an important part of the bioenergy clusters that need to be created for further development of the country.

Communication and PR Department