While Ukraine's large-scale energy infrastructure faces persistent instability, the Dutch business community is working on practical, decentralized alternatives. By deploying Dutch biomass technology, towns and cities are becoming less dependent on the vulnerable central electricity grid. This approach, coordinated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serves as a current practical example of the role of bioenergy in ensuring local security of supply.
Analyses of the current situation in Ukraine show that the traditional central energy supply remains a vulnerable point. Therefore, the reconstruction is not focused solely on restoring the old infrastructure, but on building a dense network of local energy sources. In this context, two ready-made biomass installations from the company KARA are currently being transported to Ukraine. This is a tangible result of the broader Dutch commitment to the Ukrainian energy sector. In addition to bioenergy specialists, companies from all over the Netherlands are contributing to the reconstruction. For example, transformers and generators are being supplied from various regions, and work is even underway to reuse Dutch wind turbines and components from national gas extraction to strengthen the local energy supply.
Bioenergy as a solution for grid congestion
The project in Ukraine thus illustrates a principle that is also relevant to the Dutch energy transition: bioenergy as a method for alleviating grid congestion. By generating heat directly from biomass, the demand for electric heating is reduced, relieving pressure on an overloaded power grid. Unlike variable sources like solar and wind, a biomass plant provides a constant base load. This makes it a stable factor for local networks, both in a war zone and in the Dutch context of a saturated power grid.
The need for these technological solutions has recently been widely highlighted by the Volkskrant, which reported on a working visit by a delegation from Odessa to the Netherlands. Led by Deputy Mayor Alla Bekh, representatives from the port city sought partners who could help increase energy resilience. Alla Bekh emphasized in the Volkskrant newspaper that Ukraine's reconstruction cannot wait until the end of the conflict; there is already a need for modular, decentralized systems that can withstand disruptions to the national grid.
The implementation of these missions is anchored in the Ukraine Partner Facility (UPF2). This program, run by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), unlocks the technological expertise of Dutch entrepreneurs for the reconstruction of vital sectors. In collaboration with the Ukrainian partner MUST IPRA/TKP, this public-private partnership provides a direct boost to local facilities. According to RVO data, the export of this biochemistry and bioenergy knowledge is essential for the long term, as it helps Ukraine build a circular economy less dependent on fossil fuel imports.
Source: RVO
Photo: Lena Myzovets, Unsplash
YouTube videos: KARA Almelo
