Dispute over wind power: Bad Saulgau says no to four new plants!

Dispute over wind power: Bad Saulgau says no to four new plants!

Four new wind turbines could soon rise in Bolstern, a small community near the Wagenhart gravel works. The Alterric company from Herrenberg plans to build the modern wind turbines in the forest areas of the Thurn und Taxis house. With a hub height of around 180 meters and a total size of around 270 meters, the systems will certainly offer a striking silhouette. But what do the residents and the community of Bad Saulgau think about this project?

The local city administration has already taken a stand and asked for community agreement. However, despite a recommendation for approval, the majority of the local council voted against granting this consent. The background is the indication that two of the wind turbines are located outside the designated priority areas in the sub-regional energy plan, which unsettles the city of Bad Saulgau. However, Mayor Raphael Osmakowski-Miller made it clear that he had to agree despite personal reservations because the Sigmaringen district office classified the local council's rejection as unlawful.

Approval process and schedule

The approval process will last until September 2025, and the wind turbines are scheduled to be commissioned in 2027 or 2028. Alterric has submitted an application to the Sigmaringen district office for a preliminary decision regarding emissions control. According to the Wind and Solar Agency (https://www.fachagentur-wind-solar.de/wind/authorisation), extensive approval procedures are required for wind turbines over 50 meters high. These procedures aim to ensure that no harmful environmental impacts occur and that no other public law interests conflict with the project.

On May 12, 2025, the State Office for the Environment issued six modification permits for similar projects, which were also applied for by Alterric. These approvals are issued in accordance with Section 16b Paragraph 7 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG), which plays a central role in this project.

Environmental and nature conservation aspects

There is concern for nature: the district office emphasizes that the expansion of renewable energies has priority, even if the planned areas are in the reserved area for raw material extraction. The operating time of the wind turbines is limited to 30 years, after which the areas can be used again for the use of raw materials. Although the law provides for various simplifications in the approval process, nature conservation authorities are responsible for ordering suitable mitigation measures in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

The responsible authorities will review all necessary permits and consents in the emissions control process. The process has a concentration effect, which means that all relevant concerns, such as pollution control, nature and species protection law and building regulations, are taken into account.

Another point up for debate is the supposed “encirclement” of Bolstern. However, the district office sees no danger since the wind turbines will be several kilometers away from Bad Saulgau. However, it remains a challenge to obtain the necessary agreement from the community, as second alderman Richard Striegel already mentioned: He would like to delay the process until the regional plan comes into force in order to perhaps reach an agreement.

The topic of wind power is hotly debated and encourages discussion. The example of Bolstern shows how affected communities, authorities and companies have to fight to expand renewable energies.