Is paragliding in Eslohe-Wenholthausen threatened to end?

Is paragliding in Eslohe-Wenholthausen threatened to end?

In the rolling hills of Eslohe-Wenholthausen, everything currently revolves around wind power and the future of paragliding. With two eye-catching large-scale banners, the SauerlandAir paragliding club is sending a clear signal against the construction of six wind turbines, which could endanger the popular flying area on the high plateau of 500 to 600 meters. Here, where the air currents are ideal for paragliders, there is now a threat of uncertainty. The first chairman of SauerlandAir, Manuel Moreno, has complained about the insufficient communication between the system operators and the administration and sees the dangers for the safety of the planes.

“One of the planned wind turbines is much too close to the edge of the slope,” complains Moreno, “that could result in fatal aviation accidents.” The association, with its almost 800 members, does not feel included in the decision-making processes regarding the expansion of wind power. This is despite the fact that approval for the wind farm was granted at the end of October 2025 after going through a public approval process. Surprisingly, SauerlandAir was not consulted during the site selection and priority area designation phases.

The path to approval

The applicant, Hochsauerland Energie GmbH (HE), is not the responsible approval authority. Nevertheless, the flight safety test was confirmed by the HSK's Immission Control Department and the participation of the German Paragliding Association and the Hang Gliding Association (DHV) in the approval process was also present. SauerlandAir applied for access to the files, but there was no further public participation. Against this background, the association is now planning to take legal action against the wind turbines.

The situation in Eslohe is not alone. There is currently discussion throughout Germany about how the expansion of wind energy can be accelerated. However, this is often accompanied by conflicts with nature conservation and local interests. The expansion is being critically monitored by conservationists, especially in the Wildenburger Land, where there is a high level of biodiversity. This shows that the expansion of wind power poses not only technical but also social challenges.

A look into the future

Although the federal government and the EU have ambitious plans to shorten the approval process for wind turbines, the reality is often characterized by lengthy processes. On average, it takes over two years for a wind turbine to be approved. There are even goals of four to five systems per day by 2030. But especially in regions with sensitive nature such as the Hochsauerland, progress and the interests of local residents are often in conflict.

The coming months will show what happens with SauerlandAir's lawsuit and whether a constructive solution can be found for everyone involved. One thing is certain: the discussion about wind power will continue in the future, and the voices of those affected are indispensable. Because it's not just about clean energy, but also about the identity of the region and the safety of its amateur athletes.