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Saxony increases participation in wind power: new source of money for municipalities!
The article reports on Saxony's plans for municipalities to participate financially in wind turbines in order to promote the expansion of renewable energies.
Saxony increases participation in wind power: new source of money for municipalities!
Wind power expansion in Saxony is making slow progress, and the state is now planning to increase the financial incentive for municipalities. Starting next year, communities within a 2.5 kilometer radius of a new wind turbine will receive 0.3 cents per kilowatt hour generated, according to the magazine stern.de reported. The remuneration for wind turbines that are approved after January 1, 2025 is currently 0.2 cents.
An average wind turbine could bring communities up to 40,000 euros annually. The payments come from the wind turbine operators, who can get part of the costs back through the energy and climate fund. This measure is intended to increase acceptance of wind projects and create a closer connection between the population and the income from renewable energies.
New laws for better participation
An important element in this context is the one that came into force in June 2024 Renewable Energy Revenue Sharing Act (EEErtrBetG). This law stipulates that municipalities are obliged to share in the income from wind and photovoltaic systems. The regulations apply to systems approved after December 31, 2024 and are intended to ensure that communities and citizens benefit directly from the economic benefits of renewable energy.
Although the regulations seem positive at first glance, there are also critical voices. The Association for Renewable Energies (VEE) expresses concerns that the increased profit sharing is perceived as distorting competition. This argument could lead to the expansion of renewable energies in Saxony not only becoming more expensive, but also less attractive.
The need for a unified framework
Citizen acceptance plays a crucial role in the energy transition, he said BDEW. The association emphasizes that the expansion of wind energy must be closely linked to the interests of local communities. In this context, participation laws have already been passed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to strengthen local participation.
However, the variety of regulations at state level leads to uncertainty in the industry. The BDEW therefore proposes to introduce a uniform legal framework for citizen and municipal participation in order to increase the population's acceptance and support for the energy transition. A comprehensive and clear legal regulation could help to better overcome the challenges faced by wind power projects and promote future expansion.
The Saxon government is faced with the task of mastering the balancing act between necessary expansion, financial attractiveness and acceptance among the population. The coming months could be decisive for how the wind power expansion in Saxony continues.