Citizens active in wind power planning: inform and help shape it!

Citizens active in wind power planning: inform and help shape it!

In the Mecklenburg Lake District region, the coming weeks will be dominated by citizen participation in the planning of wind energy areas. The starting signal for public participation was given on October 13th and runs until December 12th. Citizens are called upon to submit their ideas and suggestions for the partial updating of the wind energy areas in the Regional Spatial Development Program (RREP MS). This will be supported not least by an information event on Tuesday, October 28th, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Red School in Altentreptow, where the plans will be presented in detail, including the opportunity to ask questions and talk directly to the planners. This highlights the importance of public participation, which is a central element of wind power planning processes. Nordkurier reports that…

The current plans are the result of comprehensive considerations on the use of wind power, which is very popular in the region due to the existing wind power potential. There are 20 spatially designated suitable areas available, which cover a total of around 2,700 hectares and can have a maximum size of 510 hectares. In these areas, wind turbines with a total height of over 50 meters can be built and can generate a nominal output of around 990 megawatts. Around 500 wind turbines are currently in operation and contribute to the region's sustainable energy supply. Loud StALU These are very well integrated into the regional spatial development program.

Opportunities for citizens

Another interesting element of the wind power projects in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is the opportunity for citizens to benefit financially from the wind turbines. Instead of purchasing shares directly, they can use savings products that reduce the risk for private investors. In concrete terms, this means that residents within a five-kilometer radius of a wind turbine have the opportunity to set up savings bonds or fixed-term deposits at a bank, which are directly linked to the profits of the respective wind farm company. The interest rate here is usually above the usual market rates. This type of citizen and community participation is... Citizen and Community Participation Act anchored and thus offers an attractive opportunity for the population to actively participate in the energy transition.

Overall, it shows that the planning of wind turbines not only advances the energy transition, but can also open up opportunities for the local population. The information event on October 28th represents an important step in arousing citizens' interest and giving them the opportunity to get actively involved.