The basic mission of the Biogas Association is to encourage the production and use of energy that is environmentally friendly. The Association actively advocates for both the production and use of biogas for energy production, and for the most efficient use of energy
The Biogas Association of Serbia was established in March 2012 with the aim of developing and encouraging the production of electricity from biogas. A non-governmental and not-for-profit association that today brings together around 40 members that own 14 biogas power plants, but also other institutions and companies that are directly or indirectly associated with this technology, or which plan to build biogas plants.
The Biogas Association is an active partner of the German association Fachverband Biogas e.V., with which it signed a partnership agreement in June 2019, and also a member of the European Biogas Association – EBA.
How is the current situation in Serbia’s biogas sector?
– A lot has been achieved in a short period of time in the biogas sector in Serbia and a favourable business climate has been created for investors. With the advocacy of the Biogas Association and the support of the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, which is dedicated to meeting the goals of the energy community, significant steps have been taken towards strengthening and stabilising the biogas sector.
In its activities to date, the Biogas Association has proved to be a proactive partner in the process of drafting new legislation in the field of renewable energy sources, which resulted in the adoption of new incentive tariffs for the repurchasing of electricity. In cooperation with international institutions and organizations, the Association participates actively in projects and processes that are in the area of interest and support of members.
Biogas power plants solve many environmental problems by taking care of biological and organic waste in an environmentally efficient way, in which that waste receives new economic value, both in the form of electricity and heating energy, and in the form of organic fertiliser
What are the benefits of producing energy from biogas?
– Although generating electricity is the primary objective and purpose of biogas power plants, their positive environmental impact is no less significant.
Biogas power plants solve many environmental problems by taking care of biological and organic waste in an environmentally efficient manner, in which that waste receives new economic value, both in the form of electricity and heating energy and in the form of organic fertiliser.
Biogas power plants shouldn’t only be seen as producers of electricity, because their role is much greater.
How does the use of biogas contribute to increasing energy efficiency?
– Given that biogas technology enables the storage of energy in the form of biogas and electricity production on-demand, biogas is the perfect solution for situations where electricity generation is decentralised. Additionally, biogas production increases the security of the energy supply while simultaneously reducing dependence on imported energy.
When it comes to the problem of the excessive accumulation and disposal of organic waste, it is exceptionally important to emphasise that biogas power plants not only deal with organic waste effectively but also the process of producing electricity at biogas plants yields high-quality organic fertiliser, which is further used in agriculture and improves the quality of land itself and reduced the need to use artificial fertilisers.
If we look at the bigger picture, it is also worth mentioning the creation of jobs at biogas plants and increasing income in rural areas.