As of: January 21, 2024, 3:03 p.m
By: Andreas Höger
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The three wind turbines are being built to the left and right of Markweg.
© Graphic: MM
The participation phase for the citizen wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest is approaching.
A debate broke out in the Otterfinger local council.
Otterfing
– Formally it was about the economic plans of the two GmbHs with which the municipality of Otterfing, alongside its neighbors Aying and Sauerlach, organized the construction and operation of three wind turbines in the Hofoldinger Forest.
The Otterfinger local council approved the supervisory board's specifications at its most recent meeting - but this was against the vote of Josef Killer (FW), who took the opportunity to speak in front of a “risky Capital investment” to warn.
An assessment that caused other councils to shake their heads: They explicitly emphasized the high probability of lucrative returns.
As Second Mayor Gerhard Heimerer (CSU), who chaired the meeting on behalf of Michael Falkenhahn (SPD), explained, the supervisory board of Windenergie Hofoldinger Forst GmbH had unanimously approved the 2024 economic plan and the five-year financial plan.
The supervisory board consists of local councilors from the three communities, and the current chairman is the Otterfinger town hall boss.
Windenergie GmbH acts as the parent company, under whose umbrella Bürgerwind Hofoldinger Forst GmbH & Co. KG takes over the construction and operation of the three wind turbines.
In order to increase the equity capital to a good 650,000 euros for a solid credit rating, the three municipalities are putting their shares of 187,000 euros each, which were previously pre-financed in the (now dissolved) working group (ArGe) Windkraft Hofoldinger Forst, into this GmbH as an additional deposit;
So far only 30,000 euros have been deposited.
“It is not fresh money, but rather a redeployment,” explained Heimerer.
Also interesting: Wind farm in the Hofoldinger Forest: Citizens can participate with as little as 500 euros
Josef Killer saw and sees the wind power project critically.
After reviewing the “Asset Investment Information Sheet” (VIB) required by BaFin (Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority) – a common procedure for capital investments – he interprets the mandatory warnings as confirmation of his fears.
“I feel obliged to advise against such a risky investment,” he explained at the meeting.
The community acts here “in a casino style” as a wind power broker.
In his opinion, a stake in the Otterfinger wind turbine would be “riskier than equity investments”.
Thomas Hogger (Greens) assesses the chance of being able to subscribe to shares (between 500 and 25,000 euros for ten years) in the small wind farm as a citizen of Otterfingen in a completely different way.
“Annual distributions of at least six percent are guaranteed,” he emphasized.
The economic efficiency is calculated conservatively, checked several times and secured with buffers.
“Where else can you get six percent?” The banks were lining up to help finance things with loans.
“There are three communities behind the GmbH, and insolvency is highly unlikely,” explained Ulrike Stockmeier (FLO).
The warning notices in the VIB are legally required, Heimerer stated: “I am convinced that our wind power project is a good thing.” Not only is the return on investment right, “we also produce electricity that we urgently need.”
Like Hogger, Roberto Sottanelli (SPD) announced that he would subscribe for shares himself: “It works,” he is certain, “it’s a shame that it’s being talked badly about.”
Information evening is coming up
An information evening in Otterfing will take place on Monday, January 22, 2024, from 7:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.
It explains how and under what conditions you can invest.
From the end of January, Otterfinger, Sauerlacher and Ayinger have an exclusive pre-subscription period.
If six million euros have not been collected by February 18th, citizens of other communities can also invest.