Criticism of the coal boiler replacement project with biomass
The project to replace the coal boiler with biomass at 'Tsentrenergo' with a capacity of 250 MW has raised critical remarks from Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Utility Services. He noted that the implementation of this project is physically unfeasible due to the lack of necessary raw materials and logistical problems. For the effective operation of the boiler, up to 800 thousand tons of biomass per year will be required, raising serious questions about the possibility of its supply.
Biomass supply issues
A budget of 400 thousand euros was allocated for the design, however, according to Popenko, the situation with biomass supply is critical. In Ukraine, about 2 million tons of biomass are produced annually, but it does not meet the project needs. It is necessary to ensure the delivery of 2200 tons of pellets or briquettes daily, which is associated with additional logistical difficulties. The price margin for pellets and briquettes is 50-70 kilometers, complicating their transportation.
Popenko also emphasized that there are no 250 MW pellet boilers in Europe, indicating insufficient development of this technology for such large volumes. 'According to my calculations, to operate such a boiler, up to 800 thousand tons of biomass per year is needed,' he noted, questioning the feasibility of obtaining such a quantity of raw materials in Ukraine.
'Where will you get 800 thousand tons under Kyiv?' - Oleg Popenko
He also pointed out that 'no one is building 250-megawatt boilers using this kind of raw material' and accused the representatives of the reform office of 'not verifying the basic parameters of the project.'
This situation underscores the difficulties Ukraine faces in transitioning to renewable energy sources, especially under resource constraints. Supply problems with biomass may significantly impact the implementation of similar projects, raising questions about their feasibility and efficiency. In the context of the global shift toward environmentally friendly technologies, Ukraine needs to find solutions to ensure stable biomass supplies to not only implement projects but also meet European energy standards.