Schweifelds Brache's field: photovoltaic system finally being planned?

Schweifelds Brache's field: photovoltaic system finally being planned?

by Sabine Nitsch

09. September 2024, 11:00 a.m.

The large field at the gates of the Windhagen district of Schweifeld has no lively activity to offer; It lies unused and broke. The city of Unkel had wanted to install a photovoltaic system for more than three years on this now orphaned arable, which was previously managed by the owners of the Rottlandhof. Bad Honnef AG (BHAG), together with WV Energie AG, plans to build this large open space.

Originally there were high expectations for this project. It was planned that the system not only generated electricity, but also contributed to the financial relief of the city of Unkel. In 2021, the board of Bad Honnef AG, Kersten Kerl, commented in an interview and predicted that the PV system would be built in 2023. However, these optimistic forecasts seem to remain unfulfilled.

delays in the Council

At the last council meeting in Windhagen, the CDU submitted an application to examine the situation around the planned construction of the photovoltaic system. Mayor Hans Dieter Geiger was commissioned to deal with the matter increasingly and to determine the reasons for the delays. It is unclear which obstacles stand in the way of construction, but there is a growing feeling of urgency to clarify these questions.

This type of delays is not unique, but reflects a broader trend in the development of renewable energy projects. Bureaucratic hurdles or unclear approval processes often stand in the way of faster implementation. These difficulties can brake progress not only in Unkel, but also in other regions.

The importance of the system

The planned photovoltaic system has a central role in the context of the energy transition and the increasing importance of renewable energies. At a time when the need for sustainable energy solutions becomes increasingly clear, the realized system could not only contribute to the power supply in the region, but also send a positive economic signal.

It remains to be seen how those responsible will respond to the authorized questions of the citizens and when it can finally progress in construction. For Unkel, the delay of the system not only means a setback with regard to local energy production, but also in relation to the financial situation of the city. After all, the construction was in direct connection to hope for economic advantages through the sale of excess electricity.

The incoming consideration and clarification of the circumstances is not only of interest to the companies involved, but also affects the residents of the surrounding communities who hope for progress in the implementation of renewable energies.