Overview of biomethane markets and regulations ... - Green Gas Grids

Slovakia
Status quo - biogas plants and biomethane plants
In Slovakia the annual electricity production from biogas stands around 69 GWh.
Biogas is derived from sewage sludge (about 12 plants), and a smaller quantity
from agricultural biogas plants processing energy crops and manure (about 12
plants). At all these plants electricity generation has been installed. Biogas
upgrading is not considered to be an economically feasible alternative due to the
lack of financial incentives and hence no project has been developed till date.
Even though only a few biogas plants are operating, the market has the potential to
develop much further in the coming years. The Slovak Republic is aware of the
emission reduction potential of biogas technology and the substantial contribution
biogas can give in order to meet the Slovak targets. The legal framework for grid
connection and gas injection has been thoroughly worked out and technical rules
exist on the level of the distribution network, however, an adjustment of the
financial incentives will be essential in order to boost biogas production and to
achieve the declared objectives.
Political targets for biogas and biomethane production
Under the Directive 2009/28/EC the Slovak Republic is obliged to increase the
share of energy from renewables to 14% of its total energy consumption by 2020
[1]. Therefore one of the priorities of the Slovak Energy Policy is to increase the
usae of renewable energy sources in electricity and heat production. The national
strategy for achieving this goal with particular concern regarding bioenergy is set
out in the following:
n NREAP (2010),
n Biomass Action Plan 2008-2013 (2008),
n Strategy for higher utilisation of Renewable Energy
Sources (2007),
n Conception of using agricultural and forest biomass for
energy purposes (2004) and
n Energy Security Strategy of the Slovak Republic (2008).
According to the NREAP, it is envisaged biogas in electricity production will increase
from 70 GWh in 2010 up to 624 GWh by 2015 and 860 GWh by 2020. Starting from
the year 2016 biogas is considered with a minor role as a renewable vehicle fuel in
the transport sector. Even though specific targets for biomethane are not listed out,
the Slovak NREAP specifically states biomethane should enjoy preferential access to
the distribution network. The use of biomethane in generating electricity from CHP
receives support. Moreover, the document states that biomethane producers need
to be guarantees for the purchase of their biomethane, provided that they meet the
gas requirements, by means of legislative amendments.
Natural gas consumption, suppliers, infrastructure
The Slovak Republic holds very small indigenous gas reserves. In 2009 the total
reserves were estimates to be 14 billion m³. Almost the entire is met by the gas
imported from Russia. In terms of natural gas transportation it is an important
transit country, with a widespread distribution network. Hence, about 77 % of the
Slovak municipalities, meaning 94 % of the total population, have access to natural
gas.
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