SPD Bad Orb defends itself against wind power plans: focus on protecting nature!

SPD Bad Orb defends itself against wind power plans: focus on protecting nature!

In Bad Orb, the debate about wind power projects is causing heated emotions. The SPD Bad Orb has clearly positioned itself against the Main-Kinzig energy cooperative and made clear its disappointment with the latest statements. Deputy party leader Roland Weiß criticized the cooperative's interference in city politics without taking the city's established goals into account. “We support the achievement of the energy goals, but not at any price,” emphasized Weiß in a recent statement. He pointed out the need to ensure the protection of valuable wood in the region, especially on the Horstberg.

A central point in the discussion is concern for the natural diversity of the environment, which could be endangered by wind power projects. Weiß pointed out that although the energy cooperative's statements regarding EEG funds were correct, they cannot be considered a panacea for all challenges. According to Weiß, a basic problem remains the lack of clarity about the future legal situation, which could significantly influence key decisions for the city.

Financial involvement and challenges

The discussion is also made more complex by the possibilities for municipalities to participate financially in wind and photovoltaic ground-mounted systems. According to the EEG 2021, municipalities can receive 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour of electricity fed in from the operator, a regulation that is firmly agreed for the entire duration of the project. This would not only be a financial gain for the city, but could also benefit citizens, as systems owned by community energy cooperatives can offer higher returns for the locations and the population. However, as stated in the report by klimaschutz-niedersachsen, the success of such initiatives requires solid technical and commercial expertise, which represents a major challenge among volunteer-run cooperatives.

The technical infrastructure in Bad Orb also plays a central role in this debate. The planned wind farm has turned out to be problematic because connecting the substation to the Iron Hand is impossible due to capacity reasons. The substation can only produce up to 50 megawatts, while the planned photovoltaic system in the Au with 25 megawatts will put the capacities to a tough test. In order to meet local demand, a battery storage facility is also being planned in the business park, which will cover the needs of all Bad Orber households with 22 megawatts.

Future outlook and dialogue

So what can happen if the electricity generated by the wind turbines cannot be purchased? This question remains in the room. Roland Weiß makes it clear that the SPD Bad Orb hopes for support from the state of Hesse and is committed to a positive change in the building permit for the wind turbines. “Respectful dialogue and consideration of local circumstances are crucial for the best outcomes,” he added.

Given these complex challenges and goals, there is an urgent need for both the city and the energy cooperatives to find solutions together. The dialogue on sustainable energy concepts must be continued in order to do justice to both environmental concerns and the economic interests of citizens. The topic of wind power in Bad Orb remains exciting, and the next few months could set a decisive course.