The shortage of natural gas in Ukraine creates opportunities for the development of bioenergy, which can replace it with biomass for heat production, believes Georgiy Geletukha, the Chairman of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine.
"We are already facing a gas shortage. However, there is a glimmer of optimism here - the situation with natural gas may encourage the growth of bioenergy, and we may gain attention. We, bioenergy producers, can provide a cost-effective substitute for natural gas in heating, and the gas that is freed up can be used for electricity," Geletukha stated in a brief interview with the online portal "EnergoReforma."
"I don't see where we will obtain sufficient natural gas. Importing is an option, but it is expensive. Gas generation is gradually developing, and consumption will continue to rise," he added.
The head of BAU cited Lithuania as an example, where the share of heat from biomass in centralized heating reached 90%. According to him, a biomass boiler can be constructed in no more than six months.
At the same time, Geletukha emphasized that subsidies for heat production for the population hinder the replacement of natural gas in heating, and the existing heat supply companies are generally uninterested in opening their effectively monopolized market.
"If the current tariff for heating for the population were unsubsidized, we would have a whole bunch of biomass boilers. This is the economic aspect of the issue. But it is also necessary for these boilers to connect to the grid to foster competition," explained the head of BAU.
According to him, the market signal is the norm of Law No. 4213-IX dated January 14, 2025 (the large energy bill No. 9381, signed by the head of state on February 6 - ER), stating that independent thermal energy producers have the right to non-discriminatory access to heating networks, but there must be a subsequent step.
"The law should not just mention facilitating access, but must require the connection of a heating supply facility if it offers cheaper heat," he clarified.
As reported, the head of the Ministry of Energy, German Galushchenko, mentioned in a brief interview with "Interfax-Ukraine" that Ukraine will need to import at least 1 billion cubic meters of gas by the end of the year. Former Minister of Energy Olga Buslavets cited a figure of 2-3 billion cubic meters of gas. Former head of the GTSOU, Sergey Makogon, reported that "Naftogaz" imported 150 million cubic meters of natural gas in February at a price of 28,000 UAH per 1,000 cubic meters.