Renewable energy generation in Ukraine is developing slower than state strategies and expectations, with the installations for energy generation based on biogas currently being among the lowest in terms of installed capacity. Most of those involved in energy generation from agricultural biogas are large enterprises, while the small and medium-sized farms are far less involved. Thus the article aims to assess the economic feasibility of biogas production from agricultural waste by specific farm types and sizes, with a special focus on small and medium-sized farms. The research results present findings in two dimensions, first defining the economic feasibility of biogas installations in Ukraine based on investment costs and the rate of return at both the current and potential feed-in tariff, and second, analyzing the influence of state regulation and support on the economic feasibility of agricultural biogas production in Ukraine. The results emphasize that the construction of small generation capacities does not provide sufficient funds under the current feed-in tariff to meet the simple return period expected by the domestic financing institutions. Except for the general support programs for agricultural activities, there are no support funds specifically for biogas producers, while there is tight competition with wind and solar energy due to diversified feed-in tariffs.

This study analyses the Ukrainian energy system in the context of the Paris Agreement and the need for the world to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. Despite ~84% of greenhouse gas emissions in Ukraine being energy- and process-related, there is very limited academic literature analysing long-term development of the Ukrainian energy system. This study utilises the TIMES-Ukraine model of the whole Ukrainian energy system to address this knowledge gap and to analyse how the energy system may develop until 2050, taking into current and future policies. The results show the development of the Ukrainian energy system based on energy efficiency improvements, electrification and renewable energy. The share of renewables in electricity production is predicted to reach between 45% and 57% in 2050 in the main scenarios with moderate emission reduction ambitions and ~80% in the ambitious alternative scenarios. The cost-optimal solution includes reduction of space heating demand in buildings by 20% in frozen policy and 70% in other scenarios, while electrification of industries leads to reductions in energy intensity of 26–36% in all scenarios except frozen policy. Energy efficiency improvements and emission reductions in the transport sector are achieved through increased use of electricity from 2020 in all scenarios except frozen policy, reaching 40–51% in 2050. The stated policies present a cost-efficient alternative for keeping Ukraine’s greenhouse gas emissions at today’s level.

Artykuł poświęcony jest zbadaniu możliwości rozwoju odnawialnych źródeł energii (OZE) na obszarach wiejskich Ukrainy z uwzględnieniem zmian klimatycznych. Obszary wiejskie, a szczególnie rolnictwo, mają znaczny potencjał generowania energii w sposób przyjazny środowisku, jak również z wykorzystaniem własnych odnawialnych zasobów. Dzięki redukcji emisji gazów cieplarnianych działania tego rodzaju pozwolą na wzmocnienie bezpieczeństwa energetycznego oraz złagodzenie negatywnego wpływu sektorów energetycznego i rolnego na zmiany klimatyczne. W artykule rozpatrzono w tym kontekście różnorodne technologie OZE możliwe do wdrożenia na obszarach wiejskich Ukrainy, podano przykłady i przeanalizowano możliwości i bariery ich rozwoju. Ponadto zwrócono uwagę na działania konieczne do podjęcia w celu przystosowania rolnictwa do zachodzących zmian klimatu – zarówno zmniejszenia wkładu sektorów energetycznego i rolnego w negatywny wpływ na klimat, jak i takiej adaptacji rolnictwa, by kontynuowało ono pełnienie swoich funkcji i utrzymało odpowiedni poziom efektywności.