Wind power law: municipalities benefit, criticism remains

The Saxon Association of Towns and Municipalities (SSG) is generally positive about the legal basis for the expansion of wind power adopted by the Saxon government. Giving the regional planning associations more time to secure wind priority areas is to be welcomed, said Mischa Woitscheck, Managing Director of the SSG.

"With the change in the law, we are returning to a sensible expansion path that does not overburden the Saxon towns and municipalities, but allows more leeway for coordination processes," he emphasized. However, it was necessary for the planning associations to be adequately funded by the Free State of Saxony for the entire duration of their work. The amendment to the law does not meet this requirement.

The minority coalition of the CDU and SPD, with the votes of the BSW, had decided on the basis for the expansion of wind power in the Free State. Among other things, these stipulate that municipalities will benefit more from the construction of wind turbines in future. In addition, the area target is to be postponed and adapted to the requirements of the federal government. As a result, 1.3 percent of the state's land area is to be designated for wind energy by 2027 and two percent by 2032.

The Greens in the state parliament saw this as a "bitter setback for the energy transition" in Saxony. The expansion of wind power would be further delayed, they said.