Acceptance and Potential of Renewable Energy Sources Based on Biomass in Rural Areas of Hungary

Alexander Titov, György Kövér, Katalin Tóth, Géza Gelencsér and Bernadett Horváthné Kovács
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Alexander Titov: Institute of Sustainable Development and Farming, Kaposvar Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
György Kövér: Institute of Economics, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Katalin Tóth: Institute of Economics, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Géza Gelencsér: Vox Vallis Development Association (Koppany Valley Naturpark), 7285 Törökkoppány, Hungary
Bernadett Horváthné Kovács: Institute of Sustainable Development and Farming, Kaposvar Campus, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: The main focus of the paper is the investigation of the social potential of local renewable energy utilization in a rural peripheral region in Hungary. Public acceptance of biomass-based renewable energy sources can be crucial for rural communities in realization of their sustainable development strategy. The research area was Koppany Valley Natur Park 2000, a microregion of 10 settlements located in the South Transdanubian region. This microregion is characterized by poor and depressive socioeconomic and demographical conditions, despite its significant natural resources. The microregion’s complex development strategy includes the utilization of local resources of renewable energy. Local population survey (n = 310) was conducted (in May 2018) on local biomass potential, knowledge, and attitudes of the local stakeholders in the microregion. Multinomial logistic regression model estimates the acceptance of population, explanatory variables are categorical demographical (personal) factors and specific factors (based on answers of respondents). Trust in local authorities, knowledge on biomass in general and on specific technologies, as well as the education level of rural inhabitants are significant factors in supporting biomass plant establishment. Further, the group and characteristics of acceptance groups that the local development strategy may consider were defined.

Keywords: renewable energy; biomass; social acceptance; rural development; strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:2294-:d:502644

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