A project facilitating a major international initiative to help Ukraine recover its energy security and rebuild a sustainable, low-carbon energy system by growing Miscanthus on abandoned land will launch in December 2025.
Miscanthus specialist Terravesta has announced the launch of the MERIT (Miscanthus Evaluation for Resilience, Innovation, and Transformation) project, designed to help Ukraine recover its energy by transforming abandoned and contaminated land into a renewable energy asset.
Locally grown Miscanthus will be used to supply small to medium-scale power plants, decentralising the energy infrastructure vulnerable to attacks. Miscanthus will also provide raw materials for the domestic building materials sector, decreasing dependence on imports.
Supported by UK government funding through Innovate UK, the MERIT project will develop scalable Miscanthus supply chains and agronomic models to enable Ukraine to harness its potential for domestic biomass production while creating economic opportunities for Ukrainian farmers.
“There are two main goals of this project,” explains Florian Ilias, Terravesta managing director. “Energy system impact and social economic impact. In the short term, the project enables local energy economies to flourish, using and cleaning contaminated land unfit for food production. In the long-term, it supports Ukraine’s transition to a more secure, low carbon economy.
“The project will also create jobs, sequester carbon, improve energy access and promote social inclusion.
The project brings together a strong international partnership. As lead partner, Terravesta is collaborating with Liverpool John Moores University as scientific partner, LLC Miscanthus Technology (Ukraine) as technology lead, and monitoring and agronomy partner LLC Fendt (Ukraine).
A step towards energy independence and climate resilience
“MERIT is about delivering practical support for Ukraine at a critical time,” says Terravesta’s Managing Director, Florian Ilias. “By unlocking Miscanthus production, we can help Ukraine replace lost energy capacity, reduce carbon emissions, and build a secure, local biomass resource for heat and power.”
The project will demonstrate Miscanthus’ role in restoring degraded land, building climate resilience, and providing a reliable, low-input crop that supports rural communities in recovery.
Working with Ukrainian farmers and partners, the MERIT project will:
- Establish demonstration sites showcasing Miscanthus as a sustainable biomass source.
- Provide training, planting models, and agronomic support tailored to Ukrainian conditions.
- Assess logistics, processing, and market pathways for Miscanthus-derived bioenergy.
- Generate evidence on carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits to inform policy frameworks and support biomass adoption.
Supporting a sustainable future for Ukraine
Scaling up Miscanthus cultivation will enable Ukraine to develop a home-grown renewable energy source that displaces fossil fuels, reduces vulnerability to energy disruptions, and contributes to its net zero goals, while regenerating soils and supporting biodiversity. As a result, it will also provide jobs to returning soldiers in areas where there is little work.
“MERIT represents meaningful, targeted action,” adds Florian Ilias. “It uses UK expertise to support Ukraine’s recovery, build climate-friendly energy systems, and empower farmers in shaping a sustainable future.”
