Marienkoog, Germany

At Marienkoog in the North Friesland region, dozens of local people have taken a share in their local wind farm and watched the turbines being constructed for the benefit of the neighbourhood.

 

When the older wind turbines at Marienkoog were replaced by fewer more powerful models, the local community was offered a third of the shares in the ‘repowering’ project. Altogether, in the Galmsbüll Bürgerwindpark (Citizens' wind farm), of which Marienkoog is part, a total of 240 residents invested €5 million. This represented 40% of the district’s adult population.

 

One result has been general acceptance of the new taller wind turbines in the landscape of this mainly farming region close to the North Sea coast. The local council also receives income from the business tax paid by the wind farm.

 

Last year, the seven Siemens 3.6 MW turbines at Marienkoog produced much more electricity than expected, generating a good return for the investors.

 

“We have a very strong relationship with the communities in North Friesland,” says Jess Jessen, a farmer and one of the originators of the Marienkoog scheme. “If you have so many local people involved you get greater acceptance.”

 

Projects like this have enabled Germany to maintain its position as one of the leading countries for the development of wind power. At the end of 2008 there was a total capacity of almost 24,000 MW in operation. The German Wind Energy Association says that more than twice as much – 55,000 MW – could be turning by 2020, supplying a quarter of the country’s electricity.