German Renewable Energy Policies and Their Implications for Local Land Use – Maize for Biogas From 2008 - 2018 in Brandenburg

This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of maize cultivation for biogas production in Brandenburg, Germany, from 2008 to 2018, employing a spatially explicit multicriteria analysis. By combining plot-level land-use data from the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) with biogas pnt information, we analyze the likelihood of maize cultivation for biogas at the plot level and find that maize for biogas accounts for over 5% of the total arable land in Brandenburg. We identify patterns of high concentration, particularly in the northwest of the region. The analysis also reveals a steady increase in maize cultivation, aligning with regulatory changes in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). These findings offer valuable insights into the spatial patterns and drivers of biogas maize production, providing a basis for future environmental and economic research. The study highlights the need for plot-level information to evaluate the effects of renewable energy policies on local land use.