Wartau wind farm: a showcase project from the region for the future of energy
Wartau wind farm: a showcase project from the region for the future of energy
Three wind turbines are planned for the Rhine plain between Trübbach and Sevelen - one of the windiest areas in eastern Switzerland. They are to be installed between the Heuwiese meadow and the entrance to the village of Trübbach. Measurements confirm the great wind potential of the region. This makes the location ideal for using wind energy in a sustainable and economically viable way.
Operating and benefiting together
The Wartau wind farm is a joint project with broad support:
- EW Wartau - as operator
- Local community of Wartau - as landowner
- Political municipality of Wartau - as project supporter
- TBB Immobilien AG - as co-operator
- What is special: Industrial companies and private individuals from the municipality will also be able to participate by acquiring shares.
A public limited company is planned in which the public shareholding is 49 percent. Ownership and decision-making power would therefore remain in the municipality.
Energy independence in sight
"Wind energy is a clean, inexpensive and inexhaustible source of energy that can make an important contribution to the energy transition and to protecting the environment," says Andreas Bernold, mayor of Wartau and head of the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region's energy and environment specialist group. With the planned wind farm - supplemented by existing photovoltaic and hydropower plants - Wartau could cover the entire electricity requirements of the municipality, including industry, independently in future. Citizens will benefit not only ecologically, but also financially: profits from the operation will remain in the region and strengthen local value creation.
Next steps: The people decide
The local citizens' assembly approved the necessary promise of building rights in April. The next important stage is the preparation of a feasibility study and the environmental impact assessment. If this can be successfully completed, a planning application will be submitted. Wartau voters will then be able to vote on a corresponding shareholder loan to Windpark Wartau AG. The federal government is supporting the project planning with 40 percent and a possible investment with as much as 60 percent - a clear sign of the national importance of the project.
Taking concerns seriously: Questions and answers
Wind power is a controversial topic. In the municipality of Wartau, too, there are many positive voices as well as concerns among the population. Some people fear that the wind turbines could cause noise pollution or cast unpleasant shadows. Those responsible take these concerns seriously and assure that the planned wind turbines will not exceed any noise limits in the Trübbach and Weite districts. In addition, no residential area will be in the shade for more than 10 to 20 minutes a day, neither in summer nor in winter. Other issues raised by the public at the information events and votes will also be examined in detail in the next phase and the results will then be communicated.
The regional daily newspaper Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger has summarized all the questions and answers in an article: www.wundo.ch/artikel/die-wichtigsten-fragen-und-antworten-zum-wartauer-windpark/
Success factors: communication and citizen participation
Andreas Bernold emphasizes: "The involvement of the population and transparent communication are crucial for the success of the project." This is precisely what he will be talking about at the Energy Congress. His presentation is entitled: "Wind energy in practice - information and local participation". He will provide information on the current project status of the planned wind farm and the existing challenges. He will also show how early information, targeted education and active local participation can sustainably increase public acceptance.
The presentation is scheduled for 11:10 a.m. in Forum A "Energy Supply".
Energy Congress 2025: Movement in the energy transition
The Energy Congress will take place on Wednesday, May 28 on the OLMA grounds in St.Gallen. The day will begin with inspiring keynotes, followed by concise keynote speeches in two forums on the topics of energy supply and the economy. After lunch, the event continues with exciting ideas, innovative concepts and concrete solutions that show how the energy transition can be actively shaped - with the clear goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The highlight in the afternoon is the EnergyTalk with well-known personalities from Swiss politics.
All information on tickets, program and speakers: energiekongress.ch
PV campaign: solar power solutions for apartment buildings
The Energy Congress is a well-known event throughout Switzerland and is organized annually by the St.Gallen Energy Agency. It serves as an information and networking platform for municipalities, energy companies, politics, business and science. The Energy Agency is also committed to a sustainable energy future at a regional level, including in the area of solar power: in collaboration with the Sarganserland-Werdenberg region, a PV campaign is currently underway that is aimed at owners of apartment buildings. They are currently benefiting from a free online analysis that provides a sound basis for making decisions on the implementation of photovoltaic solutions - from the optimum system size to storage and billing models.
More information: www.rsw.ch/pv-aktion
