Ukrainian biomethane has gone to the European Union

Today, February 6, the Energy Customs Office processed the periodic customs declaration for the transportation across the customs border of Ukraine of the first batch of biomethane for export to Europe via pipeline transport.

The first shipment of Ukrainian biomethane for export was carried out by the Vitagro Group. The Vitagro Energy biomethane plant began production in September 2024, and on February 6, 720 MWh of biomethane (approximately 68,000 cubic meters) were dispatched to Germany as part of a test delivery. It is planned that Vitagro Energy will produce 3 million cubic meters of biomethane annually, which is equivalent to the gas consumption of 2,000 German households. 

Currently, there are three biomethane plants operating in Ukraine, and four more are expected to be launched over the year. According to the chairman of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, Georgiy Geletukha, if the three currently operational biomethane plants run at full capacity, they can generate 17 million cubic meters of gas per year. If seven companies produce gas, they will yield 111 million cubic meters of biomethane annually. 

At one time, it was said that the production of Ukrainian biomethane is a promising direction on the path to joining the European Union. This was specifically discussed at the last annual conference of the Ukrainian Energy Security Dialogue, where current issues of energy security in Ukraine and Europe were addressed. During his speech, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Mykola Kolisnyk emphasized that Ukraine is a state integrating into the European Union, thus also being within the paradigm of developing renewable energy and alternative energy sources, which is one of the key EU requirements. In turn, the representative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, Yolanda García Mesquita, noted that the EU supports Ukraine in harmonizing legislation for biomethane exports. She stressed that Ukrainian biogas has great potential and can reduce Europe's dependence on natural gas. Meanwhile, Ukraine wishes to adopt international experience in gas production. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaliy Koval, during a meeting with the Brazilian ambassador to Ukraine Rafael de Mello Vidal at the end of January this year, emphasized that Ukraine hopes to establish cooperation with Brazil in the agricultural sector, particularly in the field of bioethanol production. 

"One of the main priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is deep processing and bioethanol production. Brazil is the world leader in bioethanol production. For Ukraine, your experience in using bioethanol as fuel for agricultural machinery and vehicles will be very valuable, so our bioethanol producers can utilize Brazilian technologies. Bioethanol can become a key product for a new era of cooperation between Ukraine and Brazil," the Ukrainian official emphasized. 

For his part, the Ambassador of Brazil stressed that Ukraine is a strong partner in enhancing global food security. Rafael de Mello Vidal also noted that Brazil is ready to consider cooperation with Ukraine in the field of bioethanol production.