Municipalities can look forward to income from wind power

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Potsdam (dpa / bb) - The newly commissioned wind turbines bring additional income to the communities in Brandenburg.

For the 85 systems alone that successfully participated in tenders by the Federal Network Agency in 2020, the payments per year can amount to more than 850,000 euros, according to the answer from the Ministry of Economics in Potsdam to a request from the AfD parliamentary group.

The levies should help to increase the acceptance of wind energy in Brandenburg.

The state government's goal is to increase the proportion of renewable energies from wind, water and solar power as well as biomass in final energy consumption to 40 percent by 2030.

For years, one climate-friendly wind turbine after another was able to go into operation in Brandenburg without any problems.

But for some time now, more and more citizens, initiatives and environmental associations have been suing the facilities in courts, among other things for species, nature and noise protection reasons.

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In order to achieve more approval for wind power again, the state parliament decided in mid-2019 to let the local communities share in its benefits.

An annual special fee of EUR 10,000 must be paid for each new system.

The municipalities are obliged to use the income in such a way that the acceptance for the wind turbines is increased.

For example, events, social activities or facilities that serve culture, education or leisure are to be funded.

The appearance of the place or the infrastructure could also be improved.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 3886 wind turbines were in operation in Brandenburg on November 25 of this year.

287 plants have been approved, but are not yet working.

Of these, 85 won tenders from the Federal Network Agency from February to October this year.

The special charge applies from the start of operations.

The approval process is still ongoing for a further 546 wind turbines.

If they are approved and receive a surcharge, they too must pay the special levy.

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The front runner among the 85 municipalities that receive payments is, according to the information, the municipality of Mühlenfließ (Potsdam-Mittelmark), which can look forward to 44 216 euros, followed by Mark Landin (Uckermark) with 42 802 euros and Spreenhagen (Oder-Spree) with 42 420 euros.

Response to request