Wind turbines in the Hofoldinger forest: Berlin traffic lights could speed up approval

The construction of the wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest is getting closer.

Approval applications are to be submitted in spring 2022.

The municipalities of Otterfing, Aying and Sauerlach want to found a joint limited company for the three Bürgerwind turbines.

The population should be able to subscribe for shares.

Otterfing / Aying

- The major wind energy project in the Hofoldinger Forest is gaining momentum for the final spurt.

The three participating municipalities Otterfing, Aying and Sauerlach are already in the process of founding a joint operating company.

Otterfings Town Hall chief Michael Falkenhahn (CSU) wants to explain more details in the citizens' meeting on November 11th.

"It is realistic to submit an application within the next six months," said the Munich District Office on request;

The authority is currently chairing the ArGe Windenergie Hofoldinger Forst, which has been promoting joint plans for community wind turbines on the A8 since 2013.

The community of Brunnthal dropped out in the spring after a vote in the local council.

As became clear on Tuesday (October 26th) at an information evening in Aying, the new traffic light coalition in Berlin could accelerate the project.

At the event, project manager Robert Sing outlined the schedule.

Accordingly, the construction of the three wind turbines is planned for 2024 at the latest.

In terms of planning law, the adaptation of the landscape protection area “Hofoldinger and Höhenkirchner Forest in the district of Munich” is still missing;

According to the Munich District Office, this process can run parallel to the application process for the wind turbines.

So far, the permits have taken about half a year

Authorizing authorities for the wind turbines are the district offices of Munich (Sauerlach and Aying) and Miesbach (Otterfing).

The Federal Immission Control Act is decisive.

And this is where a traffic light coalition could come into play, said Sing: "The new government wants to accelerate the processes." So far, the approval of a plant usually took six months.

The ArGe is currently working on the establishment of a joint company with the three municipalities as shareholders.

Ayings Mayor Peter Wagner (CSU) spoke on Tuesday of a GmbH & Co. KG.

As Falkenhahn explains, this GmbH should already appear as an applicant for the wind turbines.

The two districts should be involved in a subordinate manner.

"For these constructions, however, resolutions are still required in the respective committees of the municipalities," explained Falkenhahn.

All three municipalities want to enable their citizens to participate financially in the major project.

Around 30 percent of the total costs, which are estimated at around 18 million euros, could cover citizens' deposits.

According to Sing, one can hope for a return of around five percent.

Aying's mayor indicated that the deposits should be capped at 10,000 euros per person.

He has already received requests for participation from other communities, but rejects them.

"We have the wind turbines there, we have to look at them, we should benefit from them," said Wagner.

In order to enable citizens with a smaller budget to get started, Falkenhahn is considering the establishment of a participation cooperative: "The municipal council decides how broadly we should diversify."

The pressure is growing to designate more wind power locations

Most recently, it became clear that in the Bavarian State Forests, which have concluded site security agreements with the consortium, it is not only the "orphaned" wind turbine site in Brunnthal that arouses covetousness.

"The state forests intend to radically change their awarding practice," says Sing when asked.

Details are not known.

But a more wind energy-friendly federal government could generate additional pressure to provide suitable areas for wind turbines.

There were hardly any critical questions from Ayinger on the information evening.

One participant asked about the forest area to be cleared.

Sing assumes 5,000 to 6,000 square meters.

The necessary deforestation compensates for reforestation elsewhere in the protected forest.

The wind power plans in the Hofoldinger Forest should also be discussed at the Otterfinger citizens' meeting on Thursday, November 11th, in the school auditorium.

In the previous year, the citizens' meeting had to be canceled due to the corona.

Also this spring, Mayor Michael Falkenhahn (SPD) waived an appointment.

But now the date is November 11th.

It starts at 8 p.m.

In addition to the mayor's mandatory report (review and preview) and inquiries from citizens, there is a focus on wind power plans

Wind power is the topic of the citizens' meeting on November 11th

Even if the number of Corona cases in the district is rising again significantly, Falkenhahn is determined to present community politics again in face-to-face contact after a long break - and to receive direct feedback from the assembled citizens for the first time since his election as community head. "It is very important for me to find out on this evening which topics are priority for those present," says Falkenhahn. Anyone who wants to submit a request or a motion that should be dealt with in the meeting can submit it in writing to the town hall by Tuesday, November 2nd (12 noon) (also possible by e-mail to: gemeinde@otterfing.de).

The attendance meeting is only possible because it is subject to a corona protection concept. The number of participants is limited to 100. Only those who meet the 3G requirement (vaccinated, tested, recovered) and register in advance on the telephone number 0 80 24/90 630 or via e-mail to gemeinde@otterfing.de will be admitted. The respective proof must be presented at the entrance. Distance rules apply in the hall and, depending on the incidence, a mask is required. The community offers free tests at the town hall from 7 p.m.

Always keep an eye on the corona development, says Falkenhahn. The current statistics show ten infected otter fingers. "If the number should increase significantly by the time of the meeting, we will of course have to reassess the situation." Under certain circumstances, the protective measures can then be tightened to 3G plus (PCR test) or even to 2G (vaccinated / recovered). "The meeting is very important to me," emphasizes the town hall chief, "but we will certainly not go through with it at any price." Another postponement is also conceivable. An additional live broadcast via the Internet is not envisaged. "For such hybrid events, the technical and legal effort is too great," explains Falkenhahn.

The evening is set to last two hours.

A large part should be reserved for citizens' questions and above all for a debate on the wind power plans.

"So far, the reactions have been mostly positive," says Falkenhahn, "but criticism should also be able to have its say".

You can find more information on the topic here.