In Zhytomyr and Lviv, they plan to build new thermal power plants on biofuel in a short time to save and reduce the use of natural gas, the press service of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine reported.

Naftogaz has begun preparatory work for the construction of thermal power plants that will operate on biomass (wood cod) and solid secondary fuel (RDF) in Lviv and Zhytomyr. The total capacity of the facilities will be 90 MW of thermal energy and 11 MW of electricity. The planned period for putting objects into operation in Lviv is the 1st quarter of 2023, in Zhytomyr – the 4th quarter of 2023, according to the press release published on the company’s website.

As noted, Naftogaz intends to build at least 9 thermal power plants and bio-boiler houses in 8 regions of Ukraine with a total capacity of 250 MW of thermal energy and 52 MW of electricity.

The company has an ambitious goal of becoming the largest biomass heat generator by 2027 and replacing about 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Ukraine can almost completely abandon the use of natural gas for central heating, replacing it, in particular, with bioenergy.

Naftogaz, press release

It is reported that during his working trip on September 30 and October 1 to Lviv and Zhytomyr, the head of the board, Yuriy Vitrenko, noted that the NAC helps Ukrainian cities to transfer their CHPPs from gas to biofuel (we are talking about projects in Zhytomyr, Lviv, Akhtyrka) and is ready to support and other cities in this direction.

“We are interested in investing in such projects in order to import less gas at enormous prices. The implementation of such projects is also economically beneficial, and for the environment, such investments quickly pay off, while tax money goes to local budgets, and the number of jobs grows,” Vitrenko stressed.

According to him, a comprehensive approach is needed for a smooth passage of the heating season. In particular, sufficient gas reserves in storage (currently 13.9 billion cubic meters) and stabilization of its own production (gas – IF-U) are the most important tasks for Naftogaz, and the transition of heat generating enterprises to modern technologies and the use of biofuels, and the modernization of networks to reduce heat loss.

In turn, the mayors of Lviv and Zhytomyr Andriy Sadovyi and Sergey Sukhomlin noted the successful implementation of this project, which will be able to provide the production of 50 MW of energy generated from alternative fuels and reduce the dependence of cities on natural gas, Naftogaz stressed.

Thus, in Zhytomyr in 2023 they plan to use 10% of the consumed gas, in particular, in 2015, 93 million cubic meters of gas, and in 2022 there should be about 45 million cubic meters. The authorities plan to implement three projects in the city to save gas and turn household waste into heat and electricity.

And in Lviv Novoyavorivsk plans to build a modern thermal power plant in a short time. Sadovyi noted that it will cover about a quarter of the city’s heat needs. The project also includes the construction of a sorting complex for municipal solid waste.

“Cod trees and the organic component of MSW will be used as fuel for the thermal power plant – this is paper, cardboard, food waste, wood, leather, fabric. By implementing this project, we will be able to save $ 24 million that we spent on gas. And the residents of Novoyavorivsk will receive cheaper heat and hot water throughout the year,” the NAC said.

According to the project, the required volume of MSW collection is 70,000 tons per year, which includes 30-35% secondary resources, as well as biodegradable and combustible (65%), namely about 45,000 tons per year. Another fuel component is planned to use wood chips with a volume of 39,000 tons per year.