Wind turbine “Lustholz” of the citizens' energy cooperative in Pfaffenhofen a. d. Ilm
About this good practice
While the EU is pursuing the goal of being climate-neutral by 2050, Pfaffenhofen is aiming for climate neutrality by 2035. This ambitious goal is set out in the town's climate protection concept and requires a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. Pfaffenhofen is gradually switching to renewable energies and has set a remarkable example with the “Lustholz” wind power plant operated by the Citizens' Energy Cooperative. Following several public events initiated by the town and a referendum, a 207-metre-high Enercon E-115 wind turbine with a rated output of 3 MW was installed in 2016, producing around 6.5 million kWh per year.
The commissioning of this wind turbine brings Pfaffenhofen closer to its goal of a 100% renewable energy supply. The future demand for electricity will continue to rise, making further wind turbines necessary. The “Lustholz” wind turbine of the Citizens' Energy Cooperative plays a decisive role in the energy transition, and the cooperative model will facilitate the further expansion of renewable energies as membership numbers and financial resources increase.
The beneficiaries of the wind farm are the Citizens' Energy Cooperative, the town of Pfaffenhofen, the municipal utilities and all citizens. This joint effort is an example of how local initiatives can contribute to broader climate goals.
Resources needed
Total costs: 5.4 million euros.
The project development was carried out by the cooperative itself. The citizens of Pfaffenhofen had the opportunity to participate through shares or loans. The citizens were given priority when subscribing to shares, the remaining funds came from external sources.
Evidence of success
The wind turbine generates an average of 6,5 million kWh of electricity
per year, which is enough to power 1,500 households. The wind farm
saves around 2500 tons of CO2 per year.
Potential for learning or transfer
Over the past 10 years, the Pfaffenhofen Citizens' Energy Cooperative has built up a strong network and expertise in areas such as technology, law, project management and politics. The Citizens' Energy Cooperative works professionally and manages projects via its own project company (e.g. as a GmbH & Co. KG), which is responsible for approvals, financing and construction. This also applies in the case of the “Lustholz” wind turbine. Members of the Citizens' Energy Cooperative can invest in these projects so that the criteria for RECs for public funding or co-financing are always met. The success is based on active citizen participation, transparent communication and targeted public engagement. Right from the start, citizens were involved in the project through events and workshops. This allowed ambiguities and displeasure to be resolved directly. This approach ensures the long-term success of the project and lasting satisfaction among citizens.
Further information
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