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Bundeswehr stops wind power projects: nature conservation or energy transition?
In the Zollernalb district, military influence prevents the expansion of wind power; Important changes to the sub-regional plan are pending.
Bundeswehr stops wind power projects: nature conservation or energy transition?
Especially in the Zollernalb district, progress is making rapid progress when it comes to implementing wind power projects. A current issue is the occurrence of the Mornell's plover, which has turned out to be a real obstacle to planned wind turbines in the region. As the Swabian reports, the Mornelled Plover was discovered by wind power opponents and ensured that wind power projects in Rosenfeld-Täbingen had to be stopped. This not only has to do with protecting the bird, but also with the military requirements of the Bundeswehr, which play a significant role in the region.
Apparently wind turbines could not have been approved in Rosenfeld-Täbingen because their rotors were in a flight path. The same applies to Albstadt-Onstmettingen, where a low-level helicopter flight route thwarted the plans. Furthermore, the proximity to air defense radar systems in Meßstetten plays a role, where wind turbines cannot be built on the district border with Albstadt.
Planned wind power sites
- ZAK-01: Haigerloch/Rangendingen
- ZAK-02: Balingen-Ostdorf
- ZAK-03: Rosenfeld-Heiligenzimmern
- ZAK-04: Rosenfeld-Brittheim
- ZAK-06: Burladingen-Ringingen
- ZAK-07: Burladingen-Stetten
- ZAK-08: Burladingen
- ZAK-11: Winterlingen/Straßberg
- TÜ/ZAK-01: Haigerloch/Rangendingen/Starzach
The preferred areas for wind power projects in the Zollernalb district are primarily Balingen-Ostdorf with 275 hectares and Rosenfeld-Heiligenzimmer with 67 hectares. Meanwhile, there is also an area reduction for six wind power priority areas, including Großelfingen/Hechingen/Rangdingen from 347 hectares to 297 hectares and Burladingen from 400 hectares to 258 hectares.
Environmental and nature conservation aspects
But not everything planned around wind power only attracts positive headlines. It should be noted in advance that nature conservation must be given priority when expanding wind turbines. The German wind industry highlights the need to carry out environmental impact assessments before planning a wind turbine to ensure that bird and bat habitats are not unduly affected.
In addition, the choice of location for wind power projects is becoming increasingly important. It should take place in areas with enough wind and minimal interference with nature. It is important to take nature reserves, migration corridors and breeding grounds into account. Generally speaking, from a purely theoretical perspective, wind power has a significant impact on the energy transition, but the ecological effects must always be kept in mind.
The Neckar-Alb regional association also agrees, and its meeting on July 25, 2025 will once again debate wind power. The adapted version of the wind energy sub-regional plan is being discussed in a public display, which has already taken into account some changes that were made during previous discussions. Schwarzälder messenger considers the developments to be extremely important.
For the Zollernalb region, this means that there is still a lot of work ahead of us in the areas of wind power and environmental protection. The question remains whether the necessary balance can be found between military interests, nature conservation and the expansion of renewable energies. One thing is clear: a good hand in planning electrically operated wind turbines could mean real progress for the Zollernalb district.