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Wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest: This is how the planned wind farm continues

2021-05-01T06:54:07.908Z


The construction of the wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest is considered safe. The project still faces a few hurdles. And the population? Some citizens are still reluctant.


The construction of the wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest is considered safe.

The project still faces a few hurdles.

And the population?

Some citizens are still reluctant.

Sauerlach - There are over 100 wind turbines in the Bavarian state forests and generate electricity.

Three more wind turbines could soon be added: The plans for the small wind farm in the Hofoldinger Forest are becoming more concrete.

Construction could start in just under two years.

The project could still fail due to various permits.

Sauerlachs Mayor Barbara Bogner (UBV) is determined: "I am clearly in favor of the wind turbine."


The working group Windenergie Hofoldinger Forst, ARGE for short, has been planning systems on the A8 for several years. The ARGE consists of the communities of Sauerlach, Aying and Otterfing as well as the districts of Munich and Miesbach.

Brunnthal has since left the community, a wind turbine is off the table in their community area.


From a nature and species protection perspective: "no decisive objections"

The project picked up speed in February when the results of the wind and species protection studies were available. On Tuesday evening, the findings were presented to the citizens of Sauerlach in an online citizens' dialogue. "From a nature conservation and species protection perspective, there are no decisive objections," said energy engineer Robert Sing. The investigation was complex: Experts used three lifting platforms to search the Hofolding Forest for large birds, bats and reptiles, for example. Six hours over 18 days, at a height of 30 meters. Despite the positive results, there is always a risk of birds being harmed with wind turbines, says Sing.

The final examination and evaluation is incumbent on the district offices of Munich and Miesbach in cooperation with the government of Upper Bavaria.

The results of the wind measurement and profitability were also positive.

Energy-rich wind therefore comes mainly from the south-westerly direction.

With a conservative calculation, you get a return on equity in a mid-single-digit range, said Sing.


Arguments of the wind turbine opponents

The wind power plans of the consortium do not only find supporters.

The Ottobrunn “Initiative Pro Nature and Landscape Protection in the Höhenkirchener & Hofoldinger Forest” is fighting against the wind power project.

Their arguments: health problems caused by noise, clearing of forest areas and contamination of drinking water.

They also fear that the value of properties in the vicinity of the facilities will be reduced and that birds of prey and insects will be adversely affected.

Instead of wind power, the activists are calling for alternatives such as geothermal energy, combined heat and power plants and solar systems.


Sauerlachs mayor Barbara Bogner (UBV) also faced some headwinds during a virtual public dialogue on Tuesday evening.

150 people took part in the online event, some citizens confronted the panel of experts and the head of the community with critical questions.

One participant asked what the disadvantages of a wind farm in the Hofolding Forest are.

The landscape is being changed by the wind turbines, birds could be harmed, answered energy engineer Robert Sing. Martin Sterflinger, head of the environmental agency in Sauerlach, feared that systems could become a magnet for visitors.

Wind turbine tourists could disturb the forest.


Wind turbines with gearboxes need oil, one critic was concerned about a possible oil leak in the water protection areas.

Bogner replied that no systems were planned in water protection areas.

Modern wind turbines are equipped accordingly in order to collect leaking oil in the wind power tower, added Sing.

Wind farm in the Hofoldinger forest: this is how it continues now

According to the positive results of the investigation, the municipality must now submit an application for “modification of the landscape protection area” in the district council of Munich, says Lisa Huber from the energy agency Ebersberg-Munich to Münchner Merkur.

The planned wind turbine is located in a nature reserve, which experts believe should not be a legal problem.

The application should be submitted in the coming months.

Once the protected area has been adapted for the construction of the wind turbines, the project can enter the complicated approval process.

For this purpose, reports must be drawn up and submitted, such as noise and shadow reports.

In early 2023, the municipality could get the approval notice, says Huber.

Construction of the facility could begin.


Until then, the ARGE must clarify the type of company of the plant operator and the financing.

If Mayor Bogner has his way, citizens should participate in the construction and operation of the facility.

How high a capital contribution should be has not yet been determined, said Bogner.


Wind turbines: could the project still fail?

It is unlikely that the project will still fail.

The change in the landscape protection ordinance could be problematic under certain circumstances, says energy agency employee Huber.

The approval process is also a hurdle. The head of the municipality, Bogner, does not fear that a referendum will lead to a decision.

There will be such a vote on May 16 in the neighboring district of Ebersberg.

It is about the construction of wind turbines in the Ebersberger Forest.

"In Sauerlach there are only a few citizens who rebel," said Bogner. For some citizens, the system may be disruptive, she said in the citizens' dialogue. "But we need renewable energies."


Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-05-01

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