Gas TSO of Ukraine with the Federation of Employers of the Oil and Gas Industry has launched a series of online meetings as part of the project «Biomethane talks» with business representatives, experts, and government agencies.
During the first discussion « Biomethane industry: the experience of the Czech Republic» Martin Schwartz, Head of the Biomethane Section of the Czech Biomass Association BIOM, spoke about the development of biomethane production in his country. Representatives of the authorities, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Bioenergy Association, and Ukrainian businesses considered real-life examples of the successful development of biomethane enterprises in the EU, and also posed questions to the speaker.
The European Commission sees Ukraine as a potentially significant player in the hydrogen and biomethane energy sector, Martin Schwartz said during his speech. He also mentioned the role of Ukraine in the BIP-EU. The new partnership was announced this summer in Brussels:
«This partnership aims to produce 35 billion cubic meters of environmentally friendly biomethane by 2035 at the latest as a replacement for fossil gas imported to the EU from Russia. It has been foreseen by EU representatives that European member states cannot produce enough biomethane and therefore the EU Commission considers Ukraine as a potential market for biomethane production», said the guest.
According to experts, for Ukraine to reach its ambitious objective – production of 1 billion cubic meters of biomethane by 2030 – already starting from 2023 some 2-3 plants should be connected to the grid every month.
«Ukrainian biomethane production projects should be launched with the support and participation of international investors with experience in scaling and exporting renewable gases. We are open to such cooperation with partners. After all, the best way to help Ukraine is to do business in Ukraine», said Olga Bielkova, Director of Government and International Affairs of GTSOU.
Gas TSO of Ukraine is interested and ready to connect biomethane producers to the grid, subject to compliance with the gas specifications set out in the GTS Code. This will allow us to realize the export potential and cover domestic demand, increasing energy security not only in Ukraine but also in Europe.