Criticism of new wind power plans in Bartholomä: Nature conservation at risk!

Criticism of new wind power plans in Bartholomä: Nature conservation at risk!

The East Württemberg regional association recently decided on two new priority areas for wind power in the region near Bartholomä and Heubach. Mayor Thomas Kuhn is critical of this decision and calls for a fundamental reassessment of wind power planning. He is in favor of bundling the existing wind priority areas in order to use them more efficiently and at the same time take nature conservation into account. In his argument, Kuhn questions the need for new areas, especially with regard to sensitive nature conservation areas such as Rechberger Buch and Utzenberg, which are among the new planned locations.

There are currently four wind priority areas near Bartholomä: Lauterburg, Utzenberg, Rechberger Buch and Falkenberg, which are approximately two kilometers apart from each other. With the two newly added areas, a total of six wind priority areas could be created in the immediate area. Kuhn suggests obtaining the electricity required for the Aspen Technology Park in Gmünd from existing wind turbines such as those on Falkenberg. This would also reduce the need for new facilities while conserving resources.

Criticism of new wind power areas

The local council of Bartholomä has already submitted statements against the designation of further wind turbines to the Stuttgart regional association. The municipality has also sent a concrete proposal for bundling wind power to the city council in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The regional meeting for the Stuttgart association, at which decisions will be made about the new priority areas, is planned for December 3, 2025.

In parallel to these developments, the Federal Nature Conservation Association has taken a position on the wind power plans in the Fürstenfeldbruck region. In particular, the numerous priority areas in the forest are criticized there, which are often in spruce monocultures, while old mixed forests should not be used. The federal government proposes to take previous planning by the Bruck district into account in order to protect sensitive natural areas more effectively. Aviation concerns, which exclude many areas in the area from wind power development, also require precise planning.

Regional planning and nature conservation

Some of the proposed wind power locations in the Fürstenfeldbruck region come from different areas with specific challenges. These include Moorenweis, Egling an der Paar, Alling and Germering, where special features such as biotopes, drinking water catchment areas and moor relics worthy of protection must be taken into account. The federal government requires that wind turbines be equipped with anti-collision systems to increase safety. The federal government's statements are sent to the regional planning association for further review.

The debate about wind power and nature conservation is complex throughout Germany. Initiatives such as those of the Federal Environment Ministry illustrate the importance of sustainability and ecological aspects in the energy transition. It remains to be seen how the talks will develop in the coming months and what decisions the regional assembly will make in December.