Determinants of farmers’ intention to invest in integrated on-farm energy production in four European countries

This paper explores farmers’ interest in on-farm renewable energy generation across Belgium, Denmark, Iceland and Poland. We focus on adoption patterns, drivers, barriers and training needs. Drawing on a literature review and a cross-country farmer survey, the study examined existing energy generation practices, availability of surplus feedstocks and intentions to invest in new renewable energy enterprises. While 54% of respondents had some form of energy generation, predominantly solar panels on buildings, only a few used more complex systems such as biogas or biomass. Logistic regression analysis identified two statistically significant predictors of near-term investment interest: presence of a farm successor and establishment costs. Farmers favoured low-barrier technologies, and financial returns and business sustainability were key motivations. High capital costs of installation and concerns over long-term land use change were major deterrents. As a result, it is unsurprising that farmers saw the need for financial incentives, such as grants and low-interest loans. In-person workshops were preferred for training. The findings suggest that, rather than viewing adoption as a single event, policymakers and advisory services should encourage continuous expansion and diversification, focusing on reducing investment barriers and making energy generation density a policy metric.