Wind power in Tyrol: dispute over the first facility and big plans!

Wind power in Tyrol: dispute over the first facility and big plans!

The Tyrolean state government sets new impulses for the expansion of wind power in the region. Since January 1, 2024, the construction of wind turbines has been supported by state funding for wind measurements. Up to 50 percent of the costs - but a maximum of 50,000 euros per location - are covered. This initiative is intended to help achieve energy independence by 2050 by using all available resources, including wind. According to a potential study, between 800 and 1,200 gigawatt hours of electricity in Tyrol could be obtained by using 140 to 160 wind turbines, which could cover around 3.3 to 4.9 percent of the current energy requirement, such as tirol.gv.at reported.

First request for a premium for wind turbine

As part of this funding, an energy -conscious farmer from Kufstein, Richard Labek, has put on the scene. Its wind turbine has been operated for 19 years and according to nature conservation law it is the "first such system" in Tyrol. He applied for the premium of 100,000 euros for the first major wind turbine. But the country does not see its facility as a "large wind wheel" and rejects the application because the premium for new projects is intended. Labek is disappointed with the decision and plans to check legal steps. According to his words, he would have wanted to use the premium for charitable purposes, as orf.at reported.

At the same time there are important plans in East Tyrol. The assling electric plant (EWA) plans the construction of seven wind turbines on the compedal-highm, although the talks with the landowners take. Nevertheless, the project developer is optimistic that the wind measurements can begin 2026. The energy supply in Lower Austria (EVN) is also interested in wind power projects in East Tyrol and has already defined a project area in which discussions with mayors and landowners take place. These developments show that interest in renewable energies in Tyrol is growing and there are other wind power projects in the pipeline to master the challenges of energy supply.