New zones presented

“Hot zones” to ensure plenty of wind power

Lower Austria will become even more important for wind energy in the coming years. A new plan for potential wind farm areas has now been presented.

(Bild: © EVN / Daniela Matejschek)

Wind power plants in Lower Austria are a constant source of heated and contentious debate. After ten years, there is now a new edition of the areas that the state has earmarked for potential wind farms - the "Krone" shows all the municipalities affected. Social compatibility also played a key role in the new plan, it was reported.

There will always be headwinds when it comes to wind turbines, agreed Provincial Vice-President Stephan Pernkopf, Nature Conservation Councillor Susanne Rosenkranz and spatial planner Thomas Knoll at the presentation of the new zones for potential wind farms. With an amendment to the new wind zone plan, it is hoped that the projects will be less controversial.

Old plan revised
The old plan with 68 zones was valid for ten years. In the new version (see below), which is now open for review for six weeks and will then be approved by the state government, nine previous areas have been removed. However, 15 have been added. However, at 7,000 hectares each, the areas only swapped places and, at 28,000 hectares, 1.5 percent of the state's area will still be available. There are major differences between the north-east and south-west ...