Saxony-Anhalt is rapidly expanding wind power – Saxony is lagging behind!

Saxony-Anhalt is rapidly expanding wind power – Saxony is lagging behind!

Saxony-Anhalt has made a big leap in the emerging world of renewable energy, particularly in the area of ​​wind power. The Saxons report that the energy company VSB has found that around five times as many new wind turbines have been built in Saxony-Anhalt as in neighboring Saxony. VSB Managing Director Thomas Winkler emphasizes the clear political commitment that gives the wind power expansion a tailwind.

In contrast, Saxony shows that the necessary framework conditions are lacking. In particular, the strict implementation of the two percent target, which stipulates that two percent of the country's area should be designated for wind energy by the end of 2032, is not being adhered to. Experts fear that this gap could lead to a regression in energy policy.

Political framework conditions in focus

The issue of land policy has also brought the Saxon Greens onto the scene, who warn of setbacks in energy policy. CDU Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar expresses concerns from the population and questions the ambitious area target. Former Energy Minister Wolfram Günther (Greens), on the other hand, calls for more commitment to promoting renewable energies, while resistance to new projects in Saxony often makes planning more difficult.

A real ray of hope, however, is the positive acceptance of wind power projects in Saxony-Anhalt. This openness enables the company VSB to implement one of the largest repowering projects in Europe in the Wittenberg district: 50 old wind turbines are being replaced by 16 latest models. The total output of the wind farm will be increased from 30 to an impressive 105 megawatts, and two more wind turbines are scheduled to follow by the end of 2025.

Financial opportunities for municipalities

Another plus point for Saxony-Anhalt is the new Acceptance and Participation Act. This stipulates that operators of new wind power and photovoltaic systems give municipalities a financial share in the profits. They can expect at least 5,500 euros per installed megawatt of wind turbines annually. If the returns are particularly good, these amounts can even increase significantly. Information on the financial participation of municipalities is available on the Citizen Energy platform Energy Atlas of Saxony-Anhalt to find.

Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, the country's energy minister, expects the law to be passed quickly after the parliamentary summer break in 2025. This could come in time to strengthen citizens' acceptance and economic participation. Discussions about the framework conditions are already in full swing, including in the state parliament, where various actors are putting forward their points of view.

Criticism and suggestions for improvement

But there are also critical voices. Some experts criticize that communities and citizens are not sufficiently involved in economic success. The draft law on participation is now intended to create clear, unbureaucratic regulations, but there are also requests for changes that still need to be taken into account. It becomes clear that a cross-party discussion is necessary to unite the various interests.

Saxony-Anhalt's pioneering role in the use of renewable energies is undisputed. According to Minister Willingmann, around 62% of electricity already comes from renewable sources. Whether this potential can be further exploited depends on the political framework and acceptance among the population. Let's stay tuned to see how the situation develops in the coming months and whether Saxony-Anhalt can further consolidate its role model image in the field of renewable energies.