Energy from the Countryside
Low-interest loan for small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to invest in the generation, storage, and distribution of renewable energies. Available continuously until 31.12.2030.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank provides low-interest loans for investments in the production, storage, and distribution of renewable energies. Funding is provided for, among others, bioenergy plants, photovoltaic, wind, and hydropower installations, as well as investments in green hydrogen and grid distribution.
Eligible expenses
- Investments in renewable energy generation (bioenergy, photovoltaics, wind, hydropower)
- Investments in storage and distribution of renewable energies
- Investments in green hydrogen production
- Leasing financing of machinery and technical equipment
Non-eligible expenses
- Systems for exclusive own use (island systems)
- Debt restructuring
- Financial investments (sole acquisition of company shares)
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- EU SME definition for small and medium-sized enterprises
- Projects in the field of generation, storage, or distribution of renewable energies
- Excluded: companies in difficulty, pure financial investments, acquisition of operating resources, and debt restructuring
Documents required for application
- Application via the house bank
- De minimis aid declaration
- Cumulative aid declaration
- Program conditions (PDF)
- Aid information sheet (PDF)
Description
The “Energy from the Countryside” program of the Agricultural Rentenbank is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the field of production, storage, and distribution of renewable energies in Germany. Through house banks, low-interest loans of up to €10 million per company and year can be applied for. Investments in bioenergy plants (biogas, biomethane, wood gasification, biofuels), photovoltaic, wind, and hydropower plants, as well as green hydrogen production, energy storage, and grid distribution infrastructure are funded. Leasing financing for machinery and technical equipment is also possible under top conditions. The programs run continuously until December 31, 2030, and guarantee 100% coverage of eligible investment costs. The conditions are based on the risk-adjusted interest rate system (RGZS) and take into account the creditworthiness and collateral of the project.
Eligible to apply are companies according to the EU SME definition that do not have difficulties under EU law and whose projects do not exclusively comprise self-consumption systems, pure financial investments, or debt restructuring. Prior to application, a de minimis aid declaration and a cumulation declaration must be submitted. Project documentation is carried out via the house bank; in addition to the application, program conditions, information sheets, and aid declarations are submitted. Through the combination of long terms (3 to 50 years), favorable interest rates, and full refinancing, “Energy from the Countryside” supports ambitious projects in agriculture, rural areas, and the energy sector that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the strengthening of regional value creation.