Ukrainian biogas and biomethane industry as the basis for national energy independence

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the potential of Ukraine’s biomethane industry and analyse biogas production and purification technologies, economic and regulatory aspects, and opportunities for integration into the EU market. The study confirmed that Ukraine can produce more than 10 billion m3 of biomethane per year from agricultural, livestock, food industry and household organic residues. The technological processes of production, including anaerobic digestion, purification and enrichment of biogas, as well as the efficiency of purification methods such as membrane separation, variable pressure adsorption and cryogenic distillation were analysed. The study analysed the regulatory framework of Ukraine on biomethane and its harmonisation with EU standards. The adoption of Law No. 1820-IX and DSTU EN 16723-1:2023 simplifies certification but requires further improvement to fully comply with European requirements. A comparative analysis of the costs of biomethane production in Ukraine and the EU demonstrated the competitiveness of Ukrainian products due to the lower cost of raw materials, but the limited availability of financial incentives. Key investment barriers were identified, including a lack of government subsidies, the absence of guaranteed tariffs and the complexity of certification. The study confirms that biomethane reduces carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions by 85% compared to natural gas and is central to the circular economy. The study analysed the real indicators of biomethane production in Ukraine for 2019-2024, which demonstrated a gradual increase, but a significant lag behind the EU countries. The study assessed the prospects for Ukrainian biomethane exports to the EU, the competitive environment, logistical challenges, and the need to modernise the gas transmission system and harmonise standards. The practical significance of the study is determined by a comprehensive analytical framework for the formation of an effective state policy in the field of biomethane industry development in Ukraine.