Production of alternative products and renewable energy sources in rural areas

Abstract

and renewable energy sources on the example of Ukraine is analyzed. It is found that that Ukraine is an energy-dependent country, and the main sources of energy con-sumption are fossil fuels. At the same time, the share of renewable energy sources in Ukraine is less than 2% which is one of the lowest indicators in Europe. However, we possess a massive unused potential for energy savings in the form of natural rene-wable energy and, in particular, there is a big potential of biomass available for energy production. Economically justified energy potential of existing biomass waste is about 25 million tons and the energy potential of biomass which can be grown on unused agricultural lands covering more than 4 mln ha – about 13 million tons (Table 3). Due to this potential we can cover up to 18% of total primary energy consumption in Ukraine. Thus, rural areas of Ukraine have a significant potential for bioenergy deve-lopment of the country.