New law: Minimum distances for wind farms in MV are causing a stir!

New law: Minimum distances for wind farms in MV are causing a stir!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a significant change in the law is being sought that will have a direct impact on the expansion of wind turbines near residential areas. This applies to both the construction of new wind farms and so-called repowering, the replacement of old wind turbines with more modern and more powerful models. According to a report by South German newspaper In the future, minimum distances of 1,000 meters from closed settlements and 800 meters from fragmented settlements should be maintained.

This project was introduced into the state parliament by the SPD and Left government factions in order to eliminate uncertainties in regions without valid planning and to increase the population's acceptance of wind power. Economics Minister Wolfgang Blank emphasizes that the success of wind power is only possible with local support. Special federal regulations currently allow new wind turbines to be built in existing parks closer to inhabited areas. However, this leads to sometimes heated debates in the state parliament.

Political reactions and challenges

The opposition is not slow to arrive: the AfD fundamentally rejects the energy transition, while the CDU advocates larger distances, similar to the regulations in Bavaria. The Greens see the planned change in the law as an infringement on municipal rights. As of June 30, 2025, 1,853 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 3,852 megawatts were in operation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which corresponds to 5.9% of the total in Germany.

In addition, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has the longest approval process in Germany at 45 months, while the national average is only 18 months. These long waiting times could also affect the implementation of the new regulations.

Repowering as the key to greater efficiency

The topic of repowering is becoming increasingly important in the current discussion. Loud Federal Environment Agency It represents a central component in achieving the federal government's energy and climate protection policy goals. By replacing old systems, the installed capacity at existing locations can be increased in the short term. This measure promotes the adaptation and reorganization of the locations and is supported by the publication “Practical help for repowering in regional and local planning”.

This publication offers planning authorities legal innovations and planning options, although the restrictions until 2030 are significant, especially with regard to control options in spatial planning. According to the building code, under certain conditions it is possible that no exclusion effect can be countered by repowering until the area contribution values ​​are reached, unless the basic principles of the planning are affected.

Legal aspects and land security

However, repowering also requires clear regulations regarding property security. According to a specialist article Wind industry in Germany Securing long-term space for repowering projects is becoming increasingly important. Operators are looking for reliable contract types, be they long-term full contracts or suspensive contracts. The challenges in this area are great, especially when changing the contract system and financing.

It remains questionable whether the planned legal regulations will actually lead to the rapid implementation of wind power projects. The legally secure land use contracts are central to the success of the repowering projects.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is faced with the challenge of setting the course for a sustainable energy policy without losing sight of the needs and concerns of the population. Dialogue between political actors and civil society will be crucial for the acceptance of the wind footprint in the region.