Citizens Demand Vote on Controversial Bad Orb Wind Farm

A citizen's vote is being demanded in Bad Orb, coinciding with the municipal election in March, regarding a planned wind farm on the Bad Orber Horstberg. The project, proposed by Orsted, has sparked debate and opposition from local politicians.

Orsted, a global leader in renewable energy, is expanding its wind power capacity in Germany and has plans for a project in Bad Orb. However, the company's stock price has been affected by a recent capital increase, which may impact its expansion plans.

The local SPD in Bad Orb is campaigning against the planned wind farm, with the SPD's stance being that the project should not be built on the Bad Orber Horstberg. The SPD's opposition is not new, as local politicians often express concerns about wind power projects. The SPD argues that the wind farm should be built in a legally designated wind priority area, but not on the Horstberg.

Orsted, however, rejects claims of forest endangerment and assures that potential impacts will be thoroughly examined. The company doubts the municipality's jurisdiction and sees no valid question to put to the citizens of Bad Orb. Orsted is currently preparing a permit application and no final decisions have been made.

The mayor of Bad Orb, Tobias Weisbecker (CDU), has not publicly opposed the planned wind farm. The company acknowledges that only a few people want wind installations in their immediate vicinity, which can hinder expansion projects like this one.

The planned wind farm in Bad Orb remains a contentious issue, with the local SPD demanding a citizen's vote and Orsted preparing a permit application. The project's future depends on the outcome of the municipal election in March and the municipality's decision-making process.