Municipalities are receiving increasing monetary gains due to the "wind euro."

Power and vibrancy - Municipalities are receiving increasing monetary gains due to the "wind euro."

wind turbines in the area of Brandenburg have been bringing more money lately from the "Wind-Euro". The Economy Ministry's reply to a query by Benjamin Raschke and Clemens Rostock published on Monday stated that in the previous year, these municipalities made 1.87 million euros. In the year 2022, the earnings from the "Wind-Euro" amounted to 1.1 million euros, and they were at 320,000 euros in 2021.

Starting from 2021, operators and producers of new wind turbines are required to pay a set amount of 10,000 euros per turbine to the municipalities. If a municipality lies entirely or partially within a range of three kilometers from the turbine site, they have the right to this payment.

The "Wind-Euro" is due to be raised for new or renewed turbines from 2026. It is then meant to be based on output, with the amount amounting to 5,000 euros per megawatt. The decision on this still involves the state parliament.

The Economy Ministry claims that modern wind energy plants can provide around 30,000 euros per year to the surrounding municipalities. But the wind energy sector warns of a dual financial burden, since voluntary contributions from the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) have been paid so far.

Mühlenfließ in the Potsdam-Mittelmark region leads the list of municipalities with the highest "Wind-Euro" payments with 314,963 euros, followed by Spreenhagen in the Oder-Spree district with 126,531 euros, and Treuenbrietzen in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district with 121,236 euros in third place.

The revenues from the levy could reach up to 13 million euros per year, according to the Green Party faction, citing the Ministry. This would occur if all previously approved and applied for wind energy plants go into service. Most of the levies would benefit the small towns and villages.

Brandenburg aims at significantly increasing renewable energy, mostly by using wind power. According to the Ministry, there are currently 187 obligated turbines with a combined output of 927 megawatts.

Read also:

1. The increase in revenue for Brandenburg municipalities from wind turbines is largely attributed to the "Wind-Euro," a payment required since 2021 for new or renewed turbines, which amounts to 10,000 euros per turbine.
2. The German federal ministry BMWi is considering raising the "Wind-Euro" from 2026, basing the amount on output at 5,000 euros per megawatt, a decision currently under discussion in the parliament.
3. Municipalities like Mühlenfließ in Potsdam-Mittelmark, Spreenhagen in Oder-Spree, and Treuenbrietzen in Potsdam-Mittelmark are among those benefiting from wind turbine earnings, bringing in significant sums like 314,963 euros for Mühlenfließ.
4. Brandenburg is actively pursuing renewable energy growth, primarily through wind power, with 187 obligated turbines providing a combined output of 927 megawatts, potentially generating significant income for neighboring municipalities via energy production.

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