Dispute over wind power: Schleswig-Holstein's environmental policy is on the brink!

Dispute over wind power: Schleswig-Holstein's environmental policy is on the brink!

There is currently a lively discussion raging in Schleswig-Holstein about the expansion of renewable energies, particularly with regard to wind power. This debate was fueled by the recent legal reform passed by the Federal Council. The aim of this reform is to accelerate the expansion of wind turbines and make it easier to use renewable energy. But while politicians are getting to work with momentum, there are also critical voices that warn against endangering nature and the “wind peace”. The SPD energy politician Marc Timmer described the concerns as “scaremongering” and pointed to the numerous advantages that rapid expansion could offer. At the same time, Schleswig-Holstein's Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack expressed concerns about possible negative effects, such as a "wild proliferation" of wind turbines due to the loss of important control options.

Particularly explosive is the community opening clause affected by the reformed legislation, which allows more communities to build wind turbines outside of previously defined areas. This clause was previously limited to 7.2% of the country's area, but cities and municipalities now have expanded options. However, environmental and noise protection regulations remain in place, which ensures the necessary protection.

More wind turbines in Schleswig-Holstein in the future

With the new regulations, the state government wants to see how NDR reported to ensure that up to three percent of the country's area is used for wind farms. This means, among other things, that wind turbines can also be built in protected landscape areas, something that was previously unimaginable. To this end, the new plans reduce the distances to forests from 100 to 30 meters. However, the distances to residential buildings remain unchanged at 400 meters in priority areas and 800 to 1,000 meters in towns and villages.

The first regional plans, which determine the exact distribution of areas, are due to be published by the end of 2024. Until then there is great excitement. The wind energy industry is enthusiastic about the reform, but at the same time is calling for quick steps to be taken to implement it. On the other side are environmentalists who fear that nature could suffer as a result of increased expansion. They require compensatory measures – especially in sensitive natural areas.

Wind power on the rise

In the first few months of the year, wind power in Schleswig-Holstein increased by 260 megawatts (MW). In comparison: a gas power plant in Kiel only produces 190 MW. In the first half of the year, 61 new wind turbines were put into operation, while 45 systems were shut down - although 11 of them were replaced by more modern models. This shows how lively the market is and that Schleswig-Holstein is in fourth place in Germany with 3,263 wind turbines, behind Lower Saxony, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia.

In the context of the bigger picture, Schleswig-Holstein shows itself to be a pioneer when it comes to renewable energies. In 2016, the state generated more electricity from renewable sources than it consumed for the first time, and the geographical location on the North and Baltic Seas favors wind energy, as shown schleswig-holstein.de is explained. In view of this development, it is becoming increasingly important for the state government to also improve the infrastructure in order to efficiently transport the electricity generated to the consumption centers.

The coming months will be crucial as Schleswig-Holstein needs a clear roadmap on the way to becoming an “energy hub” between Germany and the Scandinavian countries in order to realize the vision of a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sector.