Carinthia's wind power debate: protect nature or need energy?

Carinthia's wind power debate: protect nature or need energy?

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - Wind power is a hot topic in Carinthia! On January 12, the population will be called up to vote on mountains and alpine pastures via a possible ban on further wind turbines. The Austrian Alpine Association, which is committed to protecting the alpine beauty, calls for a differentiated discussion about the expansion of renewable energies. Clemens Matt, Secretary General of the Alpine Club, warns of undifferentiated debates that are characterized by party political interests. He emphasizes that a general ban is not aimed at, rather wind turbines should only be built where there are no ecological exclusion criteria.

Florian Maringer, Managing Director of IG Windkraft, emphasizes the urgency of the topic. "The instrument of the referendum should not be misused to create division and uncertainty," says Maringer. In Carinthia, around 50 % of jobs depend on industry, and wind power is crucial for future energy supply. A study by the industrial association predicts a sudden increase in energy requirement until 2040, which underlines the importance of wind turbines. Currently, Carinthia is well there when using renewable energies, but does not meet the winter current requirements sufficiently, since hydropower brings less yield this season, as Maringer explains.

environmental protection and wind power: a balancing act

Wind power is considered an environmentally friendly technology with low surface consumption. Nevertheless, the Alpine Club fears that large wind projects could endanger the last untouched natural areas. "Such projects have serious effects on nature and landscape," warns Erich Auer, environmental officer of the Alpine Club. The construction of wind turbines requires wide access roads and massive interventions in the landscape that can have long -term consequences. The discussion for the right way to the energy transition is therefore central, whereby the consideration of nature conservation and biodiversity must be at the top. In order to prevent uncontrolled expansion, the Alpine Association calls for an open dialogue with everyone involved and a clear legal regulation of the planned new buildings in Carinthia. href = "https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250110_ots0046/windkraft-in-kaernten-bevoelkung-nicht-through-populism-insecrefe"> apaotot href = "https://www.alpenverein.at/portal/service/presse/2025_01_09_windkraft-kaernten.php"> Alpenverein