German Social Democrats propose paying wind turbine neighbors

Neighbors of wind turbines in Germany will see limitations set on their avenues for lodging complaints – but will, on the other hand, receive economic compensation, according to a proposal from the Social Democratic Party. Local politicians fear it may become a slippery slope.

BY MAZ PLECHINGER

Published: 06.01.20 at 12:49

The German federal government is caught in a rage of dilemmas concerning climate change mitigation.

On the one hand, Berlin has committed to phase out both coal-fired and nuclear power as well as achieving an energy mix consisting of 65 percent renewables by 2030. On other hand, onshore wind in particular is encountering unprecedented opposition, risking electorate flight from governing coalition parties, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU) and the German Social Democratic party (SPD), toward to right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), which, among other things, doesn't care much for wind energy.

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Welcon's record revenue shaves paper-thin profit margin

State-subsidized steel from China is making the Danish wind turbine tower supplier's profit bottom out. If the EU doesn't decide to impose a tariff on Chinese steel this year, Welcon predicts that several suppliers will collapse. "But it won't be us," the CEO says.