Energy Transition: Bayern slows construction of wind turbines

This article was translated from German using Google translate.

Most recently, he promised help to the opponents of a controversial power line. Now wind power skeptics can thank Horst Seehofer. The Bavarian cabinet approved a bill that will complicate the construction of wind turbines in the state.

Munich / Hamburg - Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) has little regard for large wind turbines even if he always stressed to stand fully behind the energy turnaround. A "rampant 'disfigurement' of the landscape" increasingly destroy "its charm and its magic", the Bavarian state government has recently declared. Now she takes action: The state government wants to quickly complicate the construction of wind turbines in the state.

Meeting in  Berlin last Tuesday, the government decided to reform the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) which it long provided generous privileges for the industry. Shortly after in Munich, the Bavarian cabinet blessed a private bill on energy policy stating that the future minimum distance between wind turbines to residential homes in Bavaria is to be ten times the total height of the turbines.

Modern wind turbines are now significantly higher than they were several years ago, according to the draft law amending the Bavarian Building Code. They now reach up to around 200 meters. "The total height of a turbine is, however - especially in view of the perceived as oppressive effect - is of crucial importance for the acceptance" in the population.

According to the Bavarian Wind Energy Association almost no more space for new wind turbines would be available through the scheme in the State.

Massive opposition to the construction of new wind turbines

The regulations are based on the so-called country clause, an addition law for the EEG. The countries clause allows each state to set its own rules for the distances from wind turbines to residential areas. It is no coincidence that the state of Bavaria even where the EEG was adopted by the Federal Cabinet on the day, is making use of this clause. She was included primarily in Seehofer's request to the federal law.

The Bavarian government is responding to the massive resistance in several communities against the construction of new wind turbines. The energy transition will "succeed only if it is designed in collaboration with citizens and businesses," it says in the explanatory memorandum of the bill.

The Bavarian opposition criticized the initiative of the state government. "The Prime Minister dismantled piece by piece all the components of the energy revolution," said SPD parliamentary group. "Wind power in Bavaria is close to collapse," said the Free Voters. The Green Party politician Hans-Josef Fell just collects money for a lawsuit against Seehofer law.

Seehofer is fine with his law

Experts see the Bavarian energy policy goals as endangered by Seehofer Wind-law. The State intends to expand its share of renewable energy by 2020 from the current 30 to 40 percent then. But this is only possible, according to experts, if the number of wind turbines doubled by then.

Seehofer is fine with his law. The draft version provides exceptions: Equipment, for which a complete application was submitted until February 4, 2014 are not covered by the new regulation. Even old plants have grandfathered protection. In addition to municipalities "in the existence of a local consensus" can specify smaller distances. Say: If the municipalities involved are in agreement, they can basically do what they want. The Bavarian energy revolution could succeed so still. And if it does not, the buck is no longer with Seehofer - but in the communities.

Last Seehofer also had to put the side of opponents of the controversial power line , which will run from Saxony-Anhalt to Bavaria. "I personally and the Bavarian government keep the current route is not necessary," Seehofer told in Upper Bavaria Neuburg to the applause of activists. The current route is part of a package of 36 lines, which are listed in the federal law requirements plan. Bundestag and Bundesrat had voted in the past year with the approval of Bavaria for the law.