Löhnberg before the change: wind power should save the community!

Löhnberg before the change: wind power should save the community!

In the small community of Löhnberg, located in picturesque Limburg-Weilburg, there is a lot of activity. With a population of just 4,700 souls, the municipality is confronted with oppressive debts amounting to at least 37.5 million euros. Parents have already noticed this financial turbulence in their children, because the signs point to a storm. When the insolvency became public in May 2023, many citizens were surprised why they were not informed about the alarming situation earlier. The previous reputation as the fastest-growing rural community in Hesse seems to be distant, and with a per capita debt level of around 5,700 euros, Löhnberg is almost three times above the German average.

To pull the cart out of the mud, a massive wind power project could be the key. The energy supplier RWE plans to build up to eight wind turbines in the municipality. Mayor Reiner Greve sees the project as a great opportunity and speaks of a possible annual income of 270,000 euros per wind turbine for the community - in the best case scenario, this could bring in almost 60 million euros over 25 years. But the path there is riddled with hurdles. The project is currently in the early planning phase and the locations of the wind turbines are still up in the air.

Overcome financial challenges

The financial pressure is enormous: the community has to repay an emergency loan of four million euros by the end of 2027. At a local council meeting on Halloween, an austerity course was decided on, which included, among other things, the introduction of daycare fees and the doubling of property tax. Some families will be particularly surprised as they will have to pay up to 500 euros more each month to look after their children. Grants for clubs could also fall by the wayside, which is already causing tension in the community.

Citizen participation is a central point in paving the way for the wind power project. The local parliament gave citizens the opportunity to decide on the decision in a referendum, but a proposal for such a decision recently failed to find a majority. A request for representatives should be initiated by Parliament without a preliminary collection of signatures, which we believe is an innovative approach. The discussion about a possible decision will take place parallel to the local elections in March 2026, which presents both opportunities and risks.

Strengthen citizen participation

In the discussion about citizen participation, new guidelines for wind and solar parks have emerged. The eueco organization has published updated manuals to provide project sponsors with practical guidance. These guidelines cover, among other things: Tips for planning and implementing participation models. What is particularly exciting is that it takes citizen participation to a new level and at the same time takes into account the individual needs of the project sponsors and regional aspects.

The biggest challenges for the community currently lie not only in acute debt, but also in a mixed feeling of hope and skepticism among citizens. With a “good hand” Löhnberg could get out of the financial misery, but this requires extensive discussions and active participation on the part of citizens. It remains to be seen whether the wind power project will actually be a turning point for the community of Löhnberg or whether tensions and financial worries will continue to increase.

Tagesschau reports, RND reports, Wind industry reports.