Renewable energy

Ländle wind turbines to generate electricity in the east

Much-hated wind turbine: when will wind energy also be able to make a contribution in Vorarlberg?(Bild: ÖBf-Archiv/R. Leitner)

Illwerke joins wind farm project in Lower Austria, while virtually nothing is happening in the Ländle.

This constellation has a certain curiosity value: while Vorarlberg is still more or less reluctantly discussing the erection of wind turbines to generate green energy, in the east of Austria things are getting underway - with Vorarlberg's participation. None other than the regional energy supplier Illwerke-VKW has concluded a cooperation agreement with "evn naturkraft Erzeugungsgesellschaft m.b.H." from Lower Austria for the realization of wind power projects.

Wind energy in the Ländle
evn naturkraft" is a 100 percent subsidiary of the Lower Austrian regional energy supplier "EVN", which bundles all of the company's activities in the field of green electricity generation. The Managing Director responsible, Helwig Überacker, is delighted with the synergies that this partnership makes possible: "Together, we are a more than powerful team that has a good chance of realizing exciting projects as the birthplace of wind energy in the province." The wind turbines will be owned equally by the two partners, with each partner responsible for marketing the electricity.

While the implementation phase has long been underway in the east, there are still no concrete plans for wind energy in Vorarlberg. The most advanced project is on the Alpe Rauz on the Arlberg - but even this project is not primarily operated by Vorarlbergers, but by the owners in Liechtenstein. Nevertheless, Illwerke is now on board there.