A new international initiative is set to support Ukraine’s energy recovery and advance low-carbon development by cultivating Miscanthus on abandoned and contaminated land, reports Bioenergy Insight.
Terravesta, a company specialising in Miscanthus production, has announced the launch of the MERIT (Miscanthus Evaluation for Resilience, Innovation and Transformation) project, beginning in December 2025.
The initiative aims to convert unused land into a renewable energy resource that strengthens Ukraine’s battered energy infrastructure. Locally grown Miscanthus will supply small and medium-sized power plants, helping decentralise the national energy system and reduce its exposure to disruptions. The crop will also be used as a raw material for domestic building products, lowering reliance on imported supplies.
Supported by the UK government through the InnovateUkraine programme and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and UK International Development, MERIT will build scalable Miscanthus supply chains and agronomic models to boost domestic biomass production and create new income opportunities for farmers.
Florian Ilias, Terravesta’s managing director, said the project’s goals span both energy and community benefits. He noted that in the short term, it will strengthen local energy systems and restore land that can no longer be used for food production, while in the long term, it will help Ukraine shift toward a secure, low-carbon economy.
Florian said the initiative is expected to create jobs, store carbon, rehabilitate damaged land, improve energy access, and encourage social inclusion.
The MERIT project brings together an international partnership led by Terravesta, with Liverpool John Moores University serving as scientific partner, LLC Miscanthus Technology (Ukraine) providing technology leadership, and LLC Fendt (Ukraine) offering remote monitoring and agronomy support.
Florian said the project offers practical assistance at a critical moment for the country, adding that expanding Miscanthus production can replace lost energy capacity, cut emissions, and build a stable, home-grown biomass supply for heat and power.
Demonstration sites will be established in multiple regions, with training and agronomic support provided to farmers. The project will also assess logistics, processing needs, and market pathways for Miscanthus-based energy, while generating data on carbon storage and biodiversity gains to support policy development.
Expanding Miscanthus cultivation is expected to help Ukraine build a decentralised renewable energy system, reduce fossil fuel dependence, restore soils, strengthen biodiversity, and advance national net-zero ambitions.
Florian said the project represents targeted action using UK expertise to support Ukraine’s recovery, promote climate-friendly energy solutions, and empower farmers to help build a sustainable future.
