Out of Control: Noisy Wind Turbine to Be Torn Down

Following massive complaints from residents, a wind turbine in Oberwiera (Zwickau district) is being dismantled after only two and a half years. The three rotor blades have already been removed and lowered to the ground by crane. Now, only the nearly 170-meter-tall tower and nacelle remain.

The wind turbine, which cost 10 million euros, went into operation at the end of 2023 and was considered Saxony’s tallest wind turbine at the time. But shortly thereafter, complaints from residents about disruptive noise began to mount. They complained of a constant humming sound, which they compared to the turbine noise of airplanes. Replacing the gearbox did not improve the situation. The operator subsequently agreed with manufacturer Vestas to dismantle the turbine. They have not disclosed the costs involved.

Nearly 30,000 wind turbines—the case in Oberwiera is unique so far

The case in Oberwiera is considered unique in Germany. According to the industry association BWE, it is not aware of any cases in which a wind turbine was completely dismantled for this reason. However, similar problems have been reported elsewhere, such as in the town of Uhingen in Baden-Württemberg.

According to the BWE, nearly 30,000 wind turbines are in operation in Germany. Complaints about noise pollution from these turbines are very rare, the association says. 

Even before the demolition, the volunteer mayor of Oberwiera, Holger Quellmalz (CDU), had announced his opposition to any new wind turbines in the town of 1,000 residents: “I don’t want any more wind turbines in Oberwiera.”