Moldova explores biogas partnership with Japan

A local company could benefit from Japanese expertise and support to implement a project aimed at generating energy from biogas.

The initiative would convert production residues into biogas, which would then be used directly in the distillation process, reducing the factory's dependence on natural gas, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

According to Moldova's Ministry of Energy, the facility generates approximately 900 metric tons of distillation residues every day. By installing a methane fermentation, or anaerobic digestion, system, around 250 metric tons of these residues could be converted into biogas each day.

The biogas would be used directly in the distillation process, reducing the plant's reliance on natural gas. By recovering energy from production waste, the project is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually, while improving energy efficiency and resource utilization.

The project was discussed during a meeting between representatives of the Japanese company and Carolina Novac, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, and Nicolae Magdîl, Head of the Renewable Energy and Green Mobility Directorate.

The meeting was also attended by Tokutaro Nakai, former Vice Minister of the Environment of Japan, who is currently a member of the executive team at SDG Impact Japan and is active within the Millennium Sustainability Foundation.

The participants also reviewed additional project concepts in renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction that could receive support through cooperation mechanisms offered by the Japanese government, particularly the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), which Moldova joined in 2022.

The JCM is a bilateral carbon crediting framework established by the Government of Japan. Through the mechanism, Japan cooperates with more than 30 countries to implement decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction projects. Emissions reductions achieved through these projects are recognized and shared as carbon credits, helping both countries meet their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Representatives of Moldova's Ministry of Energy and SDG Impact Japan agreed to continue discussions on identifying and developing concrete projects with financing potential and a measurable impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo: Chat GPT