The integration of Ukraine as a supplier of sustainable biomethane

Task Force 6

Task force 6 works to contribute to unlock biomethane production in Ukraine, contributing to reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports from Russia and building stronger energy cooperation between the EU and Ukraine. Task Force 6 is incorporating best practices to identify regulatory barriers, facilitate the establishment of a competitive and transparent cross-border market, promote pilot projects and foster the necessary economies of scale for the widespread adoption of biomethane in Ukraine.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Ukraine

Task force 6 has been established as a result of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EU and Ukraine on a Strategic Partnership on Renewable Gases, including biomethane, hydrogen and other synthetic gases. A response to the urgent need to phase out the dependency on energy imports from Russia, and in line with the REPowerEU Plan of the European Commission, the Partnership aims to enhance EU-Ukraine energy cooperation by implementing EU legislation, promoting public and private sector collaboration and facilitating Ukraine’s participation in Horizon Europe projects. It intends to address administrative, technical, and regulatory obstacles related to production, transport, storage and usage of biomethane.

The Launch

On the 27th of September, 2023, Task Force 6 was officially launched during the Business Forum on Renewable Gases in Vienna. Harmen Dekker, member of the Governing Board of the Biomethane Industrial Partnership, handed over a symbolic green valve to Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, on behalf of German Galushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine. This gesture symbolized the official launch of Task Force 6 and collaboration between Ukraine and the European Union in biomethane. The panel involved also Kadri Simson, European Commission for Energy, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Anna Zamazeeva, Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine.

The kick off

Hosted by the Biomethane Industrial Partnership at the premises of DG ENER, the kick off meeting of Task Force 6 (TF6) marked the initiation of the task force’s technical activities. The event brought together representatives from 27 companies that are committed to collaborating on various topics pertaining to developing biomethane production in Ukraine. The meeting focused on member introductions and outlining the agenda for 2024.

In 2024, TF6 will work on three primary objectives: facilitating cross-border trading and export between the EU and Ukraine, enhancing domestic production in Ukraine, and stimulating domestic demand in Ukraine.