Saxony adopts new rules for wind power expansion

The minority coalition of CDU and SPD in the Saxon state parliament has passed new legislation for the expansion of wind power in the state with the votes of the BSW. Among other things, these provide for municipalities to benefit more from the construction of wind turbines in future. In addition, the area target is to be shifted and adapted to the federal requirements.

Regina Kraushaar, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, had campaigned in the state parliament for the law to be amended. "We have to recognize that Saxony has different conditions than other federal states." The Free State is more densely populated, the landscape is characterized by post-mining landscapes, mountains and the Saxon Switzerland National Park, for example. "Our areas for wind power are limited." For Saxony, adopting the federal roadmap is also the safest way forward. According to this plan, 1.3 percent of the state's area is to be designated for wind energy by 2027 and two percent by 2032. Saxony wanted to achieve this earlier during the era of Green Environment Minister Wolfram Günther.

Setback for the energy transition?

The governing CDU and SPD parliamentary groups had submitted the motion together with the BSW. From 2026, affected municipalities are to receive 0.3 cents per kilowatt hour generated by newly constructed plants - an increase of 0.1 cents. The mandatory levy is to be paid by the wind turbine operators. The Association for Renewable Energies (VEE) recently criticized the increased revenue share for distorting competition. The expansion of renewable energies in Saxony would thus become significantly more expensive and less attractive for project developers than in other federal states.

The Greens in the state parliament spoke of a "major setback for the energy transition" in Saxony. The expansion of wind power would continue to be delayed, they said. CDU MP Ingo Flemming pointed out that the expansion should not be allowed to take place over the heads of the people in the regions. The state parliament also rejected a motion by the AfD on the subject of wind power. During the debate, Thomas Thumm described the expansion of wind energy as "complete nonsense".