Critical analysis of key barriers and challenges to the growth of the biogas sector: a case study for Romania

Abstract

Romania relies on a balanced mix of primary and renewable energy resources (biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind, solar, and photovoltaic), evenly distributed across the country; it is one of the European country’s least dependent by energy imports. Biomass counts for the highest potential as a renewable energy source estimated at 318 PJ/year (7.6 Mtoe). Despite abundant bioresources availability, the biogas sector is very poorly developed; currently, the installed capacity of biogas projects is about 0.002% of the total installed capacity of renewable-based projects. This paper aims to analyze the key barriers that have impeded the development of the biogas sector in Romania, to identify corrective solutions, and draw remedial recommendations. The study indicates that the instability of the legal framework is the key barrier to the biogas sector growth in Romania, followed by financial obstacles, severe underfunding of the R&D budget, and poor communication between relevant stakeholders. Key recommendations have been proposed to overcome the obstacles, including ensuring a stable and consistent legislative framework, increasing funding in the research and innovation sector, and improving selective organic waste collection systems to facilitate feedstock supply. The study could be beneficial for policy-makers in adopting the best measures able to improve the current state and foster the biogas sector growth in the Romanian energy landscape.