Spremberg in the wind power dialogue: Citizens are concerned about ecological consequences

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

In the small town of Spremberg, the topic of the wind turbines has moved the people's minds intensively. The city administration recently planned the construction of 13 new wind turbines in the city forest, which aroused the concern of the citizens. The nature conservation association "Natura Spremberg" therefore initiated a residents and asked for comprehensive information about the potential risks and effects of the project. This initiative received so much attention that over 1,800 signatures were collected in order to underline the importance of the concern.

To offer the concerned citizens a platform, an outdoor meeting took place on the Spremberger open -air stage on September 3. Around 1,750 people gathered there to find out about the planned wind turbines. The event was opened by Kai Uwe Reiper, the chairman of the nature conservation association, who explained the background of the application. The association had dealt thoroughly with the Brandenburg municipal constitution and had a number of conversations to find hearing. After the initial political discussion and discussions with the state government, however, the feeling spread that the concerns of the citizens were not sufficiently observed, which confirmed the need for a meeting.

legal framework conditions

During the assembly, the legal conditions for the construction of the wind turbines were informed. Mayor Christine Herera and other representatives of the city explained that wind turbines in the outside area are privileged projects that can be approved according to the Building Code. In addition, such projects have been enjoying the status of a project of outstanding public interest since the previous year, which means that they have priority from others, such as landscape protection.

The city has checked several suitable areas for wind turbines, whereby four concentration zones emerged. The specific area that is currently being considered affects 362 hectares near the industrial area Black pump. The plan stipulates that 25 % of the energy generated is fed into the local power grid. However, the interference with nature is not to be neglected: 23 hectares, which is almost 1.8 % of the city forest, are apparently sacrificed to create space for these systems.

ecological concerns and controversy

Despite the detailed information, many questions remained unanswered by numerous citizens, especially with regard to the ecological effects on the region. The protection of drinking water and the ecological balance in the city forest was emphasized by several people present. A member of the NABU regional association warned that plant and animal species as well as the important water protection areas could be seriously threatened by the construction of the wind turbines.

Another critical point was the discussion about SF6, a gas that is used in the electrical equipment of the wind turbines. Although the gas is considered to be toxic, it is 22,800 times more climate-effective than CO2 and remains in the atmosphere for a very long time. Representatives of the Stadtwerke assured the citizens that they are aware of the problem and would take appropriate security measures to protect the environment and people.

The meeting ended with the realization that many citizens continue to concern the potential effects of wind turbines on the environment and their quality of life. Despite the extensive information, numerous participants went home with further questions and mixed feelings. The discussion about the wind turbines in Spremberg will certainly be continued, since the topic for the future of the city and its inhabitants is of the greatest importance.