Austria has always had a pathological ambition for exaggeration. If it pertains to issues that will propel the country and its people forward, it will not be a problem. But in a country with a good supply of hydroelectricity, nature has to be unleashed by the world’s largest wind turbines at 285 meters high.
In Waldviertel, the wind strength near the ground is too low for the sensible use of wind power. In mathematical terms, wind turbines are considered profitable only in the offshore sector; The catastrophic costs exceed costs everywhere else. Apparently an enterprising group of politician-oriented entrepreneurs have established themselves there, who have been pursuing wind power projects for many years and are not afraid of exaggeration. Half of Austria’s wind turbines are located in Lower Austria. A large part of the state is covered with forests Covered. But protecting the forest is not so important for political and economic environmental ploys. Deforestation, road construction, pipeline construction etc. are given priority.
IG Waldviertel is an association of non-partisan citizens’ initiatives in opposition to wind turbine plans. It is about protecting nature and the landscape in Waldviertel. All available information and arguments are presented on the homepage in an understandable and objective manner. Not only is there talk of destruction of nature, but there is also talk of lack of democracy. Communities are “persuaded” to agree to wind power projects with large sums of money, even if there have been previously negative proposals and surveys among the local council and the population. Information brochures explain the problem.
The plans in Lower Austria seem completely crazy. Because wind rarely blows in forested areas, wind turbines are being built at even higher altitudes. If you think logically, you would actually say: There is no point in having a wind turbine where there is no wind. Constantly larger but more extensive projects are destroying nature and landscapes in the long term.
In Wiedhofen an der Thaya, 57% of the landscape is already affected by wind power – the political promise was 2 percent of the area. As IG Waldviertel rightly emphasizes, the strength of this area is its untouched nature and landscape. Disrupting and destroying them on a large scale will not only harm tourism. Land and real estate in the Waldviertel will be in danger of losing value. It is emphasized that forest conservation will particularly contribute to climate protection. On the other hand, excessive soil sealing and cleaning is not done for wind turbines. You are not even able to fully prepare yourself against wind energy. It has been reported that modernization of existing locations would greatly increase yield and render new systems obsolete.
Political responsibility in Lower Austria has traditionally rested with the large and influential ÖVP. Since the last elections, FPOs have also got the right to express their views. It remains to be seen whether this party is ready to stop the wind turbine madness. If the 285-meter wind turbines were indeed built, it would be a declaration of ideological bankruptcy by the state FPO. There is nothing left to shine here that can be explained by the real politics of the alliance. The protection of landscape, nature, environment and forests must always come first. The Freedom Party is already facing harsh criticism as an incredible 250 more wind turbines are approved in October 2022.
