Referendum in Herrenberg: wind power plans rejected with a clear no!

Referendum in Herrenberg: wind power plans rejected with a clear no!

On July 15, 2025, a decisive referendum on wind power projects in the region was held in Herrenberg. The vote showed that 59.4% of voters voted “no” to leasing municipal forest land to wind turbine operators. With a voter turnout of 47.6%, 11,918 of 25,044 eligible voters cast their votes, which in detail means 7,066 votes for “no” and 4,838 for “yes”. There were also 14 invalid votes. The result is legally binding because the necessary quorum of 20% was achieved. The local council will now evaluate the next steps in the process, as Schwarzwälder Bote reports.

Mayor Nico Reith described the vote result as a strong signal for climate protection and the region's energy independence. The Prokon energy cooperative, which already operates 77 wind farms in Germany, Poland and Finland and has over 40,000 members, is planning to build up to seven wind turbines in the Spitalwald. These would be the first wind turbines in Herrenberg. A report that examines the effects on humans, animals, soil and water is still pending before approval under the Federal Immission Control Act is sought. This is expected for 2026/2027 at the earliest, with possible completion of the systems not before 2028/2029, according to Tagesschau.

Challenges and public concerns

Despite the plans, there are also critical voices. NABU expresses concerns that wind turbines in the hospital forest could endanger the habitat of certain animal species. A statement is planned by the beginning of August. The Stuttgart Region Association has also designated the area as a “priority area” for wind turbines. Against this background, the Bundestag's recent decision to accelerate the approval process for wind turbines is becoming increasingly important.

A look at the research shows that there are always conflicts surrounding wind power projects. The “Hemm den Wind” project at the FernUniversität in Hagen analyzes which factors lead to lawsuits and referendums. In particular, the political, legal and psychological motivations that fuel protests are examined. This study was launched after a significant decline in wind energy expansion was found between 2018 and 2020, which was due, among other things, to referendums. This makes it clear how important it is to keep an eye on social acceptance and the legal framework, as FernUniversität Hagen emphasizes.

The dynamics behind decisions about wind power projects are complex. Surveys often show that many people have the impression that opposition to wind energy is widespread, even though popular support may be at a different level. This promotes a false perception and can ultimately lead to increased protest movements. It remains exciting to see how the situation in Herrenberg develops and whether future use of wind will be possible in the region.