Володимир Конончук — 05.03.2026
In the context of the energy crisis and the drive towards decarbonisation, biomethane plants are becoming a strategic solution for Ukraine. Unlike biogas plants, which produce biogas with a methane content of 52–65%, biomethane plants purify biogas to 95–98% CH₄ — the level of natural gas. Such gas can be injected into the gas transmission system and also exported to the EU.
According to UABIO estimates, the potential for biomethane production in Ukraine is 7–8 billion m³/year, which corresponds to 30–40% of natural gas consumption in Ukraine.
In this article, the Pro-Energy team will take a detailed look at the stages of biomethane production, the necessary equipment and purification technologies.
A biomethane plant is an industrial complex for the production of biomethane from organic waste by anaerobic digestion and subsequent deep purification of biogas to biomethane.
The main difference from BGU is that a biomethane station produces biomethane suitable for transport and injection into the gas network.
Biomethane production comprises five main stages. Let us take a closer look at how biomethane is produced on an industrial scale.
The first stage determines the efficiency of the entire process. A biomethane plant can operate on various types of raw materials:
For more information on raw material requirements, please refer to the article “How to prepare raw materials for a biogas plant“.
Anaerobic digestion is a process in which bacteria, without access to oxygen, break down organic matter into biogas and digestate. The process takes place in sealed reactors (fermenters) made of steel or concrete with an anti-corrosion coating under mesophilic conditions (38–42°C), with a substrate retention time (HRT) of 25 days.
Critical process parameters: temperature control ±1°C, pH 6.8–7.2, regular stirring to prevent crust formation and improve gas release, and control of FOS/TAC content.
This is the most complex and expensive stage, which determines the difference between biogas and biomethane. Raw biogas contains H₂S, moisture and siloxanes, which reduce calorific value and damage equipment.
First, the gas is purified of hydrogen sulphide and siloxanes using various types of activated carbon, which prevents corrosion and damage to compressors and membranes. Next, dehumidification is carried out to remove moisture and lower the dew point. The key stage is membrane separation, during which CO₂, nitrogen and oxygen are separated, and the methane concentration is increased to 95–98%.
In addition to membrane technology, hydrogen scrubbing, PSA and amine technology are used in industry.
These solutions have their own advantages and limitations in terms of energy consumption, methane losses and capital costs. At Pro-Energy, we use membrane technology, which is the most widely used in Europe, energy-efficient and optimal for stable biomethane production.
After purification, biomethane is brought to the required pressure parameters depending on the method of transportation and use. For CNG, the gas is compressed to 200–250 bar, which allows it to be used at standard filling stations. For injection into the gas network, biomethane is compressed to the working pressure of the gas distribution/transmission system operator and odoured.
For bioLNG production, gas is additionally purified and liquefied without odorisation. The quality of biomethane must comply with the requirements of EN 16723-1 (for the network) and EN 16723-2 (for transport) or national standards.
Ready biomethane is stored depending on the method of transportation and use:
CNG — in high-pressure cylinders or trailers (200–250 bar) for transport and reserve storage. BioLNG — in cryogenic isothermal tanks at a temperature of about −160°C and transported in specialised tankers.
Biomethane distribution in Ukraine is carried out by pumping it into the main or distribution gas networks. Biomethane is fed into the network through a metering station and physically mixed with natural gas, and its “green” origin is confirmed through a system of guarantees of origin in the Biomethane Register.
Transportation via trunk networks is carried out by the Ukrainian gas transmission system operator, while local distribution is carried out by gas distribution network operators. To connect, the producer must ensure that the quality of biomethane complies with the requirements of DSTU 4047-2001 or EN 16723-1 and the GTS and GDM Codes.
In 2025, Pro-Energy implemented a biomethane project for an agricultural producer, integrating a membrane biogas purification unit into the existing biogas plant without stopping production. With a capacity of 2,500 Nm³/hour of raw biogas, the complex produces 12.8 million Nm³ of biomethane per year with parameters that meet the requirements of the gas distribution network.
Biomethane production is an energy-intensive process, but heat recovery can significantly reduce costs. Heat is obtained from compressors, purification processes and cogeneration. It is used to heat fermenters.
Digestate is a valuable organic fertilizer rich in nutrients. One tonne of raw material produces approximately 0.9 tonnes of digestate with a content of N 4–6 kg/t, P₂O₅ 2–3 kg/t and K₂O 3–5 kg/t. It is divided into a liquid fraction (85–90%) for fertigation and a solid fraction (10–15%) for composting and agricultural use.
Biomethane equipment accounts for 40–60% of the project’s capital costs.
The main elements include raw material preparation and feeding systems, methane fermentation reactors, biogas purification units for biomethane, CHP, or boilers. Auxiliary equipment includes heat exchangers, SCADA automation, digestate separators, and laboratory analyzers for gas and substrate quality.
The location of a biomethane plant requires careful planning:
The launch of a biomethane plant requires compliance with mandatory regulatory procedures, in particular:
The regulation of biomethane plants is governed by the Law of Ukraine on Integrated Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution (from 2025), which implements Directive 2010/75/EU.
The main investments are in the biogas enrichment module, compressor equipment, connection to the gas network and quality control systems. For a plant with a capacity of approximately 3 million m³ of biomethane per year, CAPEX is usually ≈6–7 million euros, depending on the technology and connection conditions.
These include electricity costs for compression and purification, membrane servicing, adsorbents, personnel, laboratory testing and administrative expenses. On average, OPEX accounts for 5–10% of CAPEX per year.
The main source of income is the sale of biomethane, which can be carried out through several channels depending on the sales market and infrastructure.
With a stable raw material base and access to exports, the typical payback period for a biomethane project is 6–10 years, with an ROI of 20–35%+ depending on market conditions.
The key factors for profitability are as follows: availability of own biomass or free organic raw materials (reduces the payback period by 2–3 years), access to the EU export market (+30–50% to the price), state support (grants of up to 30% CAPEX, tax incentives).
Although biogas plants and biomethane plants use similar raw materials and the basic process of anaerobic digestion, their economics, technological complexity, and areas of application differ significantly.
| Parameter | Biogas plant (BGP) | Biomethane plant |
| Methane content | 52-65% | 95-98% |
| Application | Electricity + heat (cogeneration) | Injection into the network, transport |
| Gas purification | Basic (H2S, moisture) | Deep (CO2, siloxanes, N2) |
| Payback period | 5-6 years | 6-10 years |
The biomethane plant offers comprehensive benefits for the economy, the environment and energy security:
At the same time, most of these challenges can be managed with proper design and the involvement of an experienced technology partner such as Pro-Energy. The practice of implemented biomethane projects shows that once they reach stable operation, biomethane plants demonstrate predictable economics, high reliability and long-term competitiveness.
Biomethane is a key part of the EU energy system. There are more than 1,678 biomethane plants operating in Europe, with total biogas and biomethane production exceeding 23 billion m³/year. Germany has over 270 plants that inject approximately 1.4 billion m³/year (≈ 1.5–2% of the country’s gas consumption). Sweden mainly uses biomethane in transport (CNG, Bio-LNG): in some cities, up to 80% of transport runs on biomethane, with CNG prices ranging from €1.8 to €3.0/kg. Denmark already injects approximately 40% of gas into the network in the form of biomethane and plans to completely replace natural gas by 2035. There are almost 160 plants operating in the country, providing 32 PJ/year.
Ukraine is in the early stages of developing its biomethane industry, but it has one of the highest potentials in Europe. According to estimates by the Ukrainian Bioenergy Association (UABIO), the realistic potential for biomethane production is 7–8 billion m³ per year, and under expanded scenarios, more than 20 billion m³, which is equal to 30–40% of gas consumption.
As of early 2025, there are five industrial biomethane plants operating in Ukraine:
Further development depends on stable export rules, a biomethane register and integration with EU guarantees of origin systems.
A biomethane plant is a high-tech, multi-stage production facility that converts organic waste into fuel identical to natural gas. A biomethane plant is more complex and expensive than a biogas plant, but it provides higher added value and greater marketing flexibility. The difference between biogas and biomethane lies not only in quality (95–98% CH₄ versus 52–65%), but also in sales opportunities, as biomethane can be used for transport and exported to the EU, while biogas is converted into electricity and/or heat.
That is why for Ukraine, biomethane production technology opens the way to energy independence and the fulfilment of European integration commitments.
Pro-Energy has practical experience in the design and construction of biogas and biomethane complexes. We assess raw material potential, select technology, calculate economics and launch turnkey biomethane projects. Contact us for advice — we support projects at all stages.
How does a biomethane plant differ from a biogas plant?
A biogas plant produces biogas (52–65% CH₄), which is used for cogeneration, and if there is a biomethane module for purification and upgrading biogas to biomethane, then it is a biomethane plant (95–98% CH₄).
How much does it cost to build a biomethane plant?
The cost depends on the capacity and is calculated individually for each project. Equipment costs account for 60–70% of the total cost, while construction costs account for 25–30%. The payback period is 6–10 years, depending on gas prices, the availability of own raw materials and state subsidies.
What raw materials are needed for a biomethane plant?
Any organic waste can be used: cattle manure (yield of 20–30 m³ of biogas/tonne) and pig manure (15–25 m³/tonne); poultry manure (100–160 m³/t); food waste (80–120 m³/t) that cannot be used for feed, However, energy crops are also used — corn silage (200 m³/t), perennial grasses (17080–100 m³/t) and sugar beet pulp — such raw materials provide biogas production for electricity and heat for the plant’s needs.
Can biomethane be injected into Ukraine’s gas network?
Technically, yes, provided that the quality of biomethane complies with the standards of DSTU 4047-2001 (95–98% CH₄, <2% CO₂, <5 mg/m³ sulphur, dew point <-8°C at 40 bar). A certificate of conformity from an accredited laboratory and an agreement with a gas transmission or gas distribution operator are required. Pumping is possible, but the procedure is complex and requires approvals (6–18 months). Main challenges: high requirements for entry points (pressure, diameter), the need to install a metering unit (additional costs), high cost of connecting to gas networks.
Send us a request, and we’ll personally provide the answers during a consultation.
Thank you for your request! The manager will contact you shortly to answer all your questions.
In the meantime, check out our implemented projects.
Periodically, you will receive letters from us with all the latest news from the field of bioenergy.
So that the letters do not end up in spam, please add info@pro-energy.com.ua to the list of contacts in the mail.
We will be in touch!