Carinthia decides: home or wind turbines – what’s left?

Carinthia decides: home or wind turbines – what’s left?

Today, January 12, 2025, Carinthia is at the center of a landmark vote that will decide whether the state's breathtaking landscape should be defaced by gigantic wind turbines. LAbg. Manuel Krautgartner, club chairman of the MFG-OÖ, commented on the situation and called on citizens to send a strong signal against the supposed “craze” of green energy projects. “Do we want to protect our homeland or sacrifice it for ideological projects?” asked Krautgartner, warning of the long-term damage that wind turbines could cause, both to the environment and to people. In his passionate appeal, he highlights the ecological and economic disadvantages that, according to him, are associated with such systems.

The green agenda in Europe is increasingly criticized as undermining energy security in the countries concerned. Wind turbines are intended to reduce CO2 emissions, but the real-world effects have proven catastrophic. In Carinthia, which borders the states of Salzburg, Styria and Slovenia, the decision to use wind power is particularly influenced by the unique nature and the countless bodies of water, as shown by the beautiful Wörthersee and many other lakes with drinking water quality. The diversity of nature is a central argument of opponents of wind power projects, who are concerned about preserving the homeland.

With over 560,000 inhabitants and an area of ​​9,533 square kilometers, Carinthia is heavily affected by electricity supply and nature conservation. Plaintiffs and environmentalists fear that the wind power projects could negatively impact both the environment and citizens' quality of life. This vote could serve as a signal not only for Carinthia, but also for all of Austria and the EU that there is a comprehensive review of the energy transition. The political groups are determined to represent their positions and to emphasize the consequences for regional identity and the environment.