The Thuringian CDU parliamentary group is advocating for a ban on wind turbines in forests and wants to prevent the state forestry commission from operating such structures on forest land. This stance comes after an FDP draft amendment to the Forest Act, aiming to ensure that reforestation is considered when wind turbines are built on bare land. Thuringia's FDP chairman Thomas Kemmerich has stated that the party aims to make wind power in forests "virtually impossible."
This controversial proposal could, once again, change a law against the will of the red-red-green state government with the help of AfD votes. The AfD, alongside the CDU and FDP, is fundamentally opposed to wind energy in forests.
CDU spokesperson for forestry policy, Marcus Malsch, suggested that the CDU may support the FDP draft, emphasizing the Thuringian government's role in focusing on reforestation and avoiding the expansion of wind energy in forests. The CDU argues that valuable forest areas are not necessary for the transformation of the energy system towards climate neutrality.
The resolution, passed by CDU MPs, calls for the state parliament to speak out against wind turbines in forests, regardless of the health or damage of the forest areas involved. The state government is encouraged to work at a federal level to allow states to decide whether to exclude forest areas from wind energy use.
In 2015, wind turbines in forests were banned in Thuringia, but the Federal Constitutional Court overturned the regulation. Now, a scientific service of the state parliament is examining the constitutional concerns associated with the FDP draft.
Thuringia's AfD co-leader Stefan Möller believes that the AfD's sway in Thuringia parliament gives them influence over polices, citing the recent reduction in land transfer tax as an example. Meanwhile, in recent polls, the AfD leads with values between 32 to 34%, threatening the re-entry of the Greens and FDP into parliament.
While sources do not explicitly detail the current stances of Thuringian political parties, CDU's participation in community-focused, renewable energy projects suggests support for wind energy projects. The FDP, as a neoliberal party, may be open to pragmatic solutions that include wind energy projects, while the AfD's strong presence in eastern Germany could potentially lead to opposition to wind energy projects due to their broader anti-renewable energy and environmental policies.
These developments pose potential implications for Thuringia's energy system and forestry policies. If wind energy projects are supported, it contributes to the decarbonization goals and Thuringia's high reliance on renewable energy. However, the opposition and potential regulations could complicate the projects, and the AfD's opposition might delay or alter policy approaches. Effective policy management and community engagement are crucial in balancing the need for renewable energy and local concerns about environmental impact.
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