Environmental assessment pending

These wind turbines could soon be built

Salzburg's first wind turbines are set to turn at Windsfeld(Bild: Uwe Grinzinger)

The environmental assessment of the Flachau wind field is likely to start in the summer. A wind measurement in Flachgau makes Salzburg AG optimistic.

As is well known, there are no wind turbines in Salzburg. Two wind farms currently have at least a chance of being built. The wind field in the municipality of Flachau is making the most progress. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is due to be submitted this summer. "Then, in the best-case scenario, construction could start in 2025," says Salzburg AG CEO Herwig Struber. He emphasizes that there is enough experience in Austria with wind turbines in alpine locations. This very location is a frequent point of criticism from opponents.

If we don't get into action, we won't reach our targets by 2030. We need wind turbines.

Landesrat Josef Schwaiger (ÖVP)

The energy company is currently investing 250 million euros in the expansion of renewable energies. "We want to double our own production of renewables over the next few years," reports CEO Michael Baminger. A wind farm on Thalgauer Lehmberg has good prospects as a second project. The results of the wind measurements there are very promising. A total of 28 wind turbines could be built at both plants. These would be particularly important in winter, when hydropower and solar energy are weak.

In order to reduce headwinds for the projects, Provincial Councillor Josef Schwaiger wants to involve citizens: "We have to turn those affected into stakeholders." It is not yet clear what form this involvement will take. These could be energy communities, for example. "But it's too early to put a model out there," says Baminger.