New laws: Minimum distances for wind power ensure disputes in MV!

New laws: Minimum distances for wind power ensure disputes in MV!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it is serious: In the future, a new change in the law will regulate how wind turbines can be built near housing estates. From now on, both new wind farms and spans, also known as repowering, must comply with at least 1,000 meters from closed settlements and 800 meters to splinter settlements. This regulation, which was introduced by the government factions of the SPD and the left in the state parliament, is primarily intended to help eliminate the uncertainties in the population and to increase acceptance for the expansion of wind turbines. Economic Minister Wolfgang Blank emphasizes that the success of wind power is only possible with support on site.

But not everyone agrees to the new distance regulations. Criticism comes from the opposition. Petra Federau from the AfD basically rejects the energy transition, while Wolfgang Waldmüller from the CDU demands even larger distances, similar to how they apply in Bavaria. Hannes Damm of the Greens suggests that these measures could be an interference with municipal rights.

Current developments in the wind power sector

The new change in the law follows the background that Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with 1,853 wind turbines and a total output of 3,852 megawatts already pays a respectable part of the German total stock of 5.9 percent. However, the approval procedures in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania at 45 months are at the top of the country comparison list, while the national average is only 18 months. In the first six months of the year, 417 megawatts were re -approved, which ends up in the middle of the field compared to other federal states.

Another important aspect of the change in the law concerns repowering of wind turbines. In the future, the deadline for the construction of a new system will be extended from 24 to 48 months after the elderly was dismantled. In addition, the distance between the locations of the existing and new facilities was extended from two times to five times the total height of the new wind turbines. This means that the dismantling of old systems now has more comprehensive statements.

As an additional relief, the approval process for repowering is optimized by a delta check that focuses on adverse effects compared to the actual state. It is now even possible that a modernized system will be approved, even if it does not meet all current immission protection requirements. As long as the sound load improves, repowering is still possible.

A look into the future

The aim of the law changes is to promote renewable energies and at the same time reduce bureaucratic hurdles. But implementation remains a challenge. The pressure on the municipalities and the political actors are increasing because the population increasingly comes into talk about the advantages and disadvantages of wind power. Against this background, it remains to be seen how public opinion will develop and whether the new distance regulations can actually lead to greater acceptance.

A good hand is required when it comes to reconciling wind power expansion with the fears of the residents. The coming months will show to what extent these changes in the law will inspire or even slow down the wind power projects.

The new legal regulation is an important step to advance the energy transition in Germany, and should not only be regarded as a technical adaptation, but also as an integrative process in society. N-tv reports that wind power expansion can only succeed with the consent of the citizens, and the importance of the legal framework is also emphasized in the wind industry, which play a decisive role in promoting repowering projects.

Further information can be found in the articles of N-TV and wind industry: n-tv and Wind industry .