Söder Kontra Greens: Citizens' participation in wind power causes a dispute!

Söder Kontra Greens: Citizens' participation in wind power causes a dispute!

In Bavaria, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) confirms the intention of financially involved in the income of new wind turbines. Despite critical voices and accusations of the Greens, this happens that claim that it is a "green panic meter". Söder made it clear that the regulation originally decided by the Bavarian cabinet in the summer of 2024 should come into force in order to compensate for municipalities and affected citizens for every kilowatt hour of electricity from new solar and wind turbines. This regulation stipulates that municipalities receive 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour, while affected citizens should receive 0.1 cents, such as "https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article2562226/Soeder-haelt-windkraft-plaenen-fest-und-gruene-panikmache.html"> Welt reported.

Minister of Economics Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) announced that the regulation should come into force in early 2025, although it has not yet been implemented. The draft law is announced for autumn, while the Greens indicate that they have fears that citizen participation could be less than provided for.

criticism of the draft law

At the same time, there are considerable concerns about the draft law of Aiwanger within the Bavarian state parliament. Experts in the Economic Committee say that the current form of the regulation is both counterproductive and in need of revision. Florian immediately from the Bavarian City Day calls for a “new regulation”, while Daniel Caspari from the Bavarian Cooperative Association requires a “comprehensive revision”. Aiwanger defends himself against the accusations of the Greens, which he refers to as alarmism, and emphasizes that he wants to work towards a "reasonable compromise" as he notes that there are currently "important construction sites".

Some votes from the CSU parliamentary group also show doubts about the draft law. Kerstin Schreyer explained that in his current form he was "not capable of consent". Critical voices also warn of an unnecessary link between municipal and citizen participation, which makes the procedure more complicated, as in The context of citizen participation

To advance the energy transition in Germany, the construction of new wind power plants is of enormous importance. Experts are demanding that citizens to participate more in wind projects and to promote local added value. enemal energies suggests to introduce citizen participation as a obligatory condition for wind projects. This could be a way to increase the acceptance of renewable energies in the population.