UABIO AREAS OF WORK
8 areas • one shared goalOur work
Advancing bioenergy in Ukraine — from strategy and feedstock resources to heat, power and biofuel production
Select an area to learn more
Strategy and the energy transitionLong-term planning, biomass potential assessment and the conditions for the energy transition
ABOUT THIS AREA
Bioenergy is an integral part of Ukraine's green energy transition. UABIO estimates the energy potential of biomass at 23 million tonnes of oil equivalent per year (2018), enough to replace all imports of gas, coal and petrol. Under the UABIO roadmap scenario, biofuels could replace 13.7 billion m³ of natural gas annually by 2050.
What we do
- We developed and regularly update Ukraine's bioenergy development roadmap to 2050.
- We prepare proposals for Ukraine's national plans and strategies.
- We support the integration of Ukraine's bioenergy sector into EU markets and alignment with sustainability criteria.
- We promote bioenergy as a decarbonisation tool for industries covered by CBAM.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Biogas and biomethaneConverting organic feedstocks into gaseous fuel for energy, transport and natural gas substitution
ABOUT THIS AREA
Biogas is produced from livestock and food industry waste, agricultural crop residues, intermediate crops, sewage sludge and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. Biomethane is biogas upgraded to natural gas quality and is fully interchangeable with it. Ukraine's biomethane production potential is estimated at 21.8 billion m³ per year by 2050. This is among the highest levels in Europe and is comparable to the country's current annual natural gas consumption.
Biomethane is Ukraine's fastest route to replacing natural gas and integrating into the EU energy market.
Our focus
- We initiate and support biomethane legislation covering definitions, the registry, exports and customs procedures.
- We advocate synchronising Ukraine's national biomethane registry with the Union Database.
- We promote biomethane as a transport fuel on the domestic market and support the development of a digestate market for organic fertiliser.
- We implement international projects (BIOMAPE, BIOMETHAVERSE, KVP and Innovate Ukraine) and deliver training programmes on biomethane production.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Heat from biomassUsing biomass for heating, hot water and industrial needs
ABOUT THIS AREA
Biomass is the foundation of renewable heat in Ukraine. In 2018, it accounted for approximately 97% of heat from renewable sources, while heat production represented 94% of total bioenergy consumption. Biomass heat is produced in individual boilers and stoves, municipal and industrial boiler houses, combined heat and power plants, and biogas facilities.
Our focus
- We advocate incentive-based tariffs for heat from alternative sources.
- We promote a competitive heat market and non-discriminatory access to heating networks for independent producers.
- We advocate a zero environmental tax rate on CO2 emissions for facilities operating exclusively on biofuels.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Electricity from biomassBiomass power generation and combined heat and power production
ABOUT THIS AREA
Electricity from biomass and biogas is generated at combined heat and power plants, thermal power plants and biogas facilities. Unlike solar and wind power, this generation is dispatchable and can provide both baseload and flexible output. Cogeneration supplies consumers with heat and electricity simultaneously, while distributed bioenergy facilities improve power system resilience.
Our focus
- We advocate the fulfilment of obligations to producers under the feed-in tariff.
- We call for transparent auctions for bioenergy projects, an increase in the annual bioenergy support quota, and its inclusion in indicative forecasts for 2027–2030.
- We propose revising auction starting prices to reflect the fuel component of production costs.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Agricultural biomass and the solid biofuel marketEnergy use of agricultural by-products, their collection and supply
ABOUT THIS AREA
Agricultural residues — cereal straw, maize stalks and sunflower stalks — are the largest component of Ukraine's biomass potential: 11 million tonnes of oil equivalent per year (2019). This estimate allows for the share of residues left in fields to maintain soil fertility. Agricultural processing waste, such as sunflower husks, and wood biofuels are also important resources.
Our focus
- We analyse agricultural biomass collection and logistics technologies and fuel properties.
- We promote electronic trading in solid biofuels to ensure transparent pricing.
- We advocate guaranteed access to fuelwood for energy producers.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Energy cropsGrowing plants for biofuel production and developing a sustainable feedstock base
ABOUT THIS AREA
Energy crops are perennial plants, such as willow, poplar and miscanthus, grown to produce biofuels. Growing these crops on 2 million hectares of low-productivity, degraded and unused agricultural land could yield 7.45 million tonnes of oil equivalent annually while restoring soil fertility.
Our focus
- We advocate a legal definition of the term 'energy crops'.
- We support the cultivation of energy crops on different types of agricultural land.
- We advocate aligning the legal status of energy crops with EU legislation.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Liquid biofuelsDeveloping bioethanol, biodiesel and other liquid biofuels for transport
ABOUT THIS AREA
Liquid biofuels — bioethanol, biodiesel and advanced biofuels — help decarbonise road, maritime and air transport. Ukraine has feedstock resources and production capacity that remain underused, particularly for advanced biofuels made from agricultural residues and other waste.
Our focus
- We support implementation of the mandatory biofuel share in petrol and biofuel sustainability criteria.
- We promote advanced biofuel production and alignment with RED III requirements.
- We participate in the SEAFAIRER project on biofuels for maritime transport.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Energy from household wasteEnergy recovery from household waste as part of an integrated waste management system
ABOUT THIS AREA
Energy recovery from household waste includes landfill gas collection, anaerobic digestion of separately collected biowaste, mechanical-biological treatment to produce RDF/SRF, and waste-to-energy processes.
Waste treatment and landfill tariffs should make waste-to-energy projects economically viable.
Our focus
- We analyse waste-to-energy technologies and project economics.
- We propose solutions to reduce capital costs and improve economic viability, including SRF use in cement plants and a focus on heat supply for large cities.
- We advocate tariffs that cover the actual costs of waste treatment and disposal.
Find more on this topic in UABIO publications, analysis
and expert materials
Research materials