Guide
Funding and grants for farm biogas plants
A farm biogas plant is a big investment, but you may not have to pay for all of it yourself. Grants and low-interest loans can cover a large share of the eligible costs. Here's how biogas plant funding works, using Poland as the main example.
How biogas grants work
Most farm biogas grants are refunds: you build the plant, and part of the eligible costs is paid back to you. That means you still need to finance the investment first, often with a loan, until the refund arrives.
ARiMR grants for farm biogas plants in Poland
The main grant for farmers in Poland comes from ARiMR, under the CAP Strategic Plan.
- Up to 65% of eligible costs, paid as a refund
- Up to 1.5 million zł per farmer, for the whole period of the plan
- For building a new farm biogas plant linked to your farm; existing plants are not covered
- You must not start the investment before you submit the application
- Extra points for farmers under 41, and for using manure from your own farm
Applications are submitted online through ARiMR's farmer portal, only while a call is open.
“Energia dla wsi”: grants and low-interest loans
“Energia dla wsi” is run by Poland's National Fund for Environmental Protection (NFOŚiGW) and supports renewable energy in rural areas, including farm biogas, through grants and low-interest loans. Funding comes in rounds and can run out before the end of a round, so it's worth watching closely. For farm biogas, the programme has supported plants above 10 kW up to 1 MW that produce both electricity and heat in high-efficiency cogeneration.
Who can apply?
Conditions depend on the programme, but they usually look at:
- Whether you're a farmer running an active farm
- Whether the plant is new and linked to your own farm
- Your livestock and the feedstock you'll use
- Whether your plan, costs and permits are in order
The mistakes to avoid
- Counting on 65% of the whole investment. The percentage applies to eligible costs only, not everything you spend.
- Starting work too early. With many grants, starting before you apply makes you ineligible.
- Missing the window. Calls open for a few weeks and can close early when the money runs out.
- Applying without a solid plan. A clear assessment of your feedstock, energy use and costs makes the application stronger.
How LAUGRO helps
We help you check which programmes might fit your farm, and we prepare the technical information an application needs: plant size, feedstock, expected use of energy and indicative costs. The application itself is yours, and so is the decision. Start with a free initial review and see the indicative prices.
