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The North Rhine-Westphalian state government is reacting to the criticism of the planned 1000-meter distance for wind turbines - and allowing exemptions from the municipalities.
Cities and municipalities should be given the opportunity to bring wind turbines closer than 1000 meters to residential buildings, explained Building Minister Ina Scharrenbach (CDU) on Wednesday.
In principle, however, there will be a protective distance of 1000 meters from certain residential areas.
In some municipalities there is a desire to expand wind power, said Scharrenbach.
This would have been prevented with the originally envisaged “10-residential building rule”.
That is why it was deleted from the draft law passed by the state cabinet.
The regulation stipulated that the 1000-meter distance should apply to residential developments with 10 or more houses.
On the other hand, there had been severe criticism.
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The municipalities should now be able to decide for themselves whether they want to introduce the 1000-meter distance for these areas with an outdoor area statute or not.
The solution that has now been found strengthens municipal planning sovereignty, said Scharrenbach.
The minister emphasized that the new regulation should ensure a balance between the interests of the resident population and the necessary expansion of wind energy in densely populated North Rhine-Westphalia.
The draft law is now being discussed in the state parliament.
The requirements for wind turbines in the forest remain restrictive.
“The restrained attitude remains,” said Scharrenbach.
In the course of the expansion of renewable energies, however, it will be checked “whether and to what extent changes are necessary”.
Other federal states with such a low proportion of forests as North Rhine-Westphalia do not plan to expand wind energy in the forest.