Polish Farmers′ Perceptions of the Benefits and Risks of Investing in Biogas Plants and the Role of GISs in Site Selection
Anna Kochanek,
Józef Ciuła (),
Mariusz Cembruch-Nowakowski and
Tomasz Zacłona
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Anna Kochanek: Faculty Engineering, State University of Applied Sciences in Nowy Sącz, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Józef Ciuła: Faculty Engineering, State University of Applied Sciences in Nowy Sącz, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Mariusz Cembruch-Nowakowski: Institute of Law and Economics, University of the National Education Commission, Krakow, 30-084 Kraków, Poland
Tomasz Zacłona: Faculty of Economic Sciences, State University of Applied Sciences in Nowy Sącz, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland
Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-30
Abstract:
In the past decade, agricultural biogas plants have become one of the key tools driving the energy transition in rural areas. Nevertheless, their development in Poland still lags behind that in Western European countries, suggesting the existence of barriers that go beyond technological or regulatory issues. This study aims to examine how Polish farmers perceive the risks and expected benefits associated with investing in biogas plants and which of these perceptions influence their willingness to invest. The research was conducted in the second quarter of 2025 among farmers planning to build micro biogas plants as well as owners of existing biogas facilities. Geographic Information System (GIS) tools were also used in selecting respondents and identifying potential investment sites, helping to pinpoint areas with favorable spatial and environmental conditions. The findings show that both current and prospective biogas plant operators view complex legal requirements, social risk, and financial uncertainty as the main obstacles. However, both groups are primarily motivated by the desire for on-farm energy self-sufficiency and the environmental benefits of improved agricultural waste management. Owners of operational installations—particularly small and medium-sized ones—tend to rate all categories of risk significantly lower than prospective investors, suggesting that practical experience and knowledge-sharing can effectively alleviate perceived risks related to renewable energy investments.
Keywords: agricultural biogas plant; GISs; geospatial data; biogas plant management; economic efficiency; risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:3981-:d:1710091
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