Expansion stopped

Rare bird gets in the way of wind power

The hen harrier, a rare bird of prey, stops the expansion of wind power.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/WEB Windenergie/Benjamin Wald Wikimedia/Kositoes)

The permit for wind turbines in Wild in the Waldviertel region is hanging in the balance due to the appearance of the hen harrier.

"Our plant in Wild in the Horn district shows how slow and frustrating the expansion of renewables is progressing," explains EVN spokesperson Stefan Zach, somewhat frustrated. Since 2014 (!), EVN has been working with W.E.B to erect ten wind turbines to supply around 35,000 households with green electricity. But despite expert reports, inspections and a positive EIA decision last year, the project is not getting off the ground. What began as an ambitious showcase project is threatening to sink into approval chaos. Yet the area is considered to be one of the most thoroughly examined ecologically in the whole of Austria.

Mice attract birds of prey
The most recent obstacle: the hen harrier, which has taken up temporary residence. The protected bird of prey is taking advantage of the ecological hour. This is because the bark beetle has transformed the former forest into an open area that attracts mice. These in turn are tasty treats for the harriers. "This is a setback for us," says Zach, "but we still believe that eco-energy and nature conservation can be combined."

We continue to believe that green energy and nature conservation can be combined.

Stefan Zach, EVN-Sprecher

Bild: EVN

Green electricity or fossil fuels
However, the necessary project revision could take months or even years. The debate about the hen harrier is not an isolated case. Time and again, projects fail due to lengthy procedures, arbitrary objections and strict nature conservation requirements. "We are now faced with the choice of implementing the energy transition or continuing to rely on fossil fuels - with all the consequences for the climate," warns Zach.