The speedy process was due the unanimous resolution by the council of the municipality of Bockhorn to amend the 2nd development plan 57 "Hiddels wind farm"[1]. Repowering enables the total height of the wind turbines in the development area to be increased to 200 m, replacing 11 turbines with a previous total height of 100 m.
The wind turbines are located in a so-called "Wind-BG area" within the meaning of Section 4 of the Wind Energy Area Requirements Act (WindBG). Its expansion is to be facilitated and accelerated in the context of the EU Emergency Regulation[2] to ensure security of supply and cushion the energy crisis caused by Russia's war of aggression[3].
The expected energy yield of the five new wind turbines will more than triple the energy potential of the Bockhorn-Hiddels site. "We are delighted that the intensive dialogue with landowners, residents and key politicians has led to this swift and successful project approval," said Heike Kröger and Ubbo de Witt, managing partners of Projekt Ökovest GmbH.
[1] http://buergerinfo.bockhorn.de/to0050.asp?__ktonr=13441
[2] https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Dossier/ErneuerbareEnergien/wind-an-land.html
[3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2577