Economic aspects of the introduction of renewable energy sources in the agro-industrial complex

The aim of the study was to identify economic challenges to the introduction of renewable energy sources in the agricultural sector of Ukraine and to substantiate ways to overcome them, taking into account modern transformations. The methodological basis was formed by statistical analysis (in particular, trend and comparative), economic and legal analysis, as well as content analysis of scientific sources and regulatory documents. The study analysed current trends in the development of solar, wind and bioenergy in the agricultural sector. It has been established that the greatest economic effect is provided by projects based on the use of biomass, biogas and solar energy, which can reduce energy costs by up to 20-25% on average. It is found that bioenergy has the greatest prospects due to the significant amount of available agricultural raw materials; it is substantiated that the annual potential for replacing imported gas with biofuels is up to 5 billion cubic metres, which is equivalent to a reduction in costs of more than USD 2 billion. The article analyses the dynamics of solar energy implementation in the agricultural sector for the period 2018-2024, in particular, it is found that in the context of the armed conflict, the share of operating solar power plants decreased to 50-60% due to damage to infrastructure, but in the western and central regions there is a tendency to increase installed capacities. It has been found that the efficiency of the introduction of renewable energy sources depends on the level of government support, the availability of targeted instruments such as “green” tariffs, low-interest loans, and transparent regulatory mechanisms. The practical significance of the study is to provide recommendations for strengthening support for the introduction of renewable energy sources, which will contribute to the energy efficiency of the agricultural sector, increase the profitability of farms and the competitiveness of their products