While the European Union (EU) countries are looking for ways to rapidly reduce transport pollution, Lithuanian specialists are pointing their finger at the low-hanging fruit, which can achieve at least part of the desired results in one move. Electrification of vehicles is expensive and takes place too slowly, but countries with a developed agricultural industry can feel the immediate effect if they start to use biomethane widely: we can produce a sufficient amount of this gas ourselves, and the supply of vehicles powered by it already meets the needs of many areas. The first reactions to incentives for biomethane production in Lithuania also clearly confirm that business is interested in it.
A clear need
In December 2023, the acceptance of applications announced by the Environmental Project Management Agency (APVA) ended for 31 million. for the amount of subsidies from the Climate Change Program funds for the production of biomethane gas and the installation of biogas purification facilities. According to this call, a record number of applications was received – as many as 22 applications for 67.75 million. euros, or twice more than the allocated funds. This example clearly showed that businesses in Lithuania are actively interested in biomethane production.
The highest potential for biomethane production is associated with raw materials from agricultural waste, crop production residues, organic household and industrial waste and wastewater. This not only produces cleaner fuel, but also solves regional development, environmental and social issues, in addition to developing a circular economy.
This trend is not unique to our country. Due to the transition to cleaner energy sources, global demand for liquefied natural gas will increase by 50 percent by 2040. Such a prediction was recently made by the well-known energy company Shell in its annual review.
Ernestas Jakubonis, head of sales and marketing of Iveco’s representative office in the Baltic countries, says that today there are almost no larger carriers in Lithuania that do not have vehicles powered by liquefied or compressed natural gas in their fleets. Such an example of companies weighing the costs very carefully shows that the possibility of quickly obtaining an already functioning, rationally priced technology, which allows a significant reduction in part of the emissions immediately, is important for carriers.
“According to our calculations, biomethane emits significantly less nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, and under optimal conditions can cut CO2 emissions by up to 95 percent compared to a diesel engine. It is also important that the new support for the purchase of gas transport outweighs the general costs of using such cars in favor of this type of measures,” explains E. Jakubonis.
At the beginning of March, the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced an incentive program for companies interested in replacing commercial vehicles of the pollution category N2 with those powered by biogas. Its volume is 2.4 million. euros.
5 million also started. EUR support program, the aim of which is to replace vehicles of the N3 category with powered biogas. Companies wishing to change polluting diesel vehicles to biogas-powered vehicles can apply for up to 300,000 vehicles with one application. subsidy amounting to EUR.
In turn, in February, the Ministry of Energy announced a call for applications for the installation of biomethane gas production and purification facilities. 11.8 million was allocated for this measure. euros from the funds of the Economic Revitalization and Resilience Enhancement Program.
Biomethane is one of the energy sources that allows the greatest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels. “It can be widely applied in energy, transport, agriculture, industry and building sectors. It is planned that by 2030 At least 950 GWh of biomethane would be produced in Lithuania,” the ministry announced.
Calculates the benefits
Marius Čižas, head of alternative fuel promotion start-up Dvire, says that when these subsidies and lower fuel costs are taken into account, the scale of the total cost of ownership of gas vehicles is clearly tipped towards the use of biomethane. And this is shown by the enormous interest of market participants in the announced subsidy program.
In addition, according to the specialist, the transition to the use of biomethane for the transport sector is a technically easy task. Transport powered by natural gas is not new in Lithuania, and more than one company produces the corresponding vehicles.
“The promotion of both production and use of biomethane is significant. Now is the time for this change. Transport powered by natural gas can be adapted to use biomethane without additional investments, so it can be claimed that the experience of using this type of transport is long-term – more than 15 years.
The first users were bus fleets, and now their experience can be successfully transferred to the local freight transport sector. It is biomethane-powered heavy passenger and cargo transport that has the greatest prospects for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at economically reasonable costs in the near term,” explains the expert.
Biomethane production promotion programs are expected to accelerate the development of green energy. This would reduce the use of fossil fuels and increase Lithuania’s energy independence. In Lithuania, this is especially relevant for the transport sector: in it, biomethane could replace the most widely used diesel.
According to E. Jakubonis, the launched biomethane subsidy program for the purchase of N2 and N3 class commercial vehicles encourages the creation of demand for use in the local market. According to the specialist, this is a useful solution for Lithuania, observing the prospects of alternative technologies in the near future and taking steps towards decarbonization of transport already now. In addition, biomethane production is particularly important for Lithuania in stabilizing energy pricing and ensuring independence from imports.
“Especially since there is no shortage of vehicles in almost every segment. Here, Iveco can provide as many as three categories of gas-powered commercial vehicles: from 3.8 to 7.2 ton vans or 12 to 19 ton trucks to the entire range of tractors and chassis. A wide range of gas-powered engines ensures a wide range of their use in the entire commercial transport sector, and quick refueling allows stable planning of daily work”, the interviewer notes.
The infrastructure is expanding
M. Čižas points out that the biomethane filling infrastructure is also developing rapidly. A few years ago, it was only possible to use the filling stations of bus parks in big cities, and now the situation has changed significantly. In the near future, it is planned to open five more filling points with compressed gas in Lithuania, which should further promote the development perspective of this technology.
“Currently, filling points located near the main transport highways “Via Baltica”, A1 road and elsewhere are already operating or will be put into operation in the coming months,” says the expert.
