Financial and legislative aspects of biogas development in Poland and Ukraine

European Biogas Association experts predict rapid growth of the biogas sector in the near future in all EU countries. However, the development of the biogas market is impossible without legislative and financial support from governments. The financial and legal aspects of the development of the biogas market in Poland and Ukraine were analysed using statistical and graphical methods, as well as retrospective data analysis. In Poland, the initial incentive for biogas investments (‘green’ tariff and strict environmental policy) has been replaced by other incentives (tax benefits, energy subsidies). Despite the objective problems, Ukraine’s government is actively working to activate the bio-industry in Ukraine by making changes in the legislation and reforming the energy sector. Due to the comprehensive analysis, significant parallels and common strategies were highlighted for Poland and Ukraine in terms of energy policy development, legislative changes and strategy planning in the sector, fi­nancial and investment support, measures to reduce producers’ costs, preferential transport tariffs, and development of bio­methane infrastructure. In the medium and long term, biogas market development will bring benefits such as macroeconomic stabilization, reduced energy consumption, and reduced dependence on energy imports for both countries.