Germany: Popular Protests Put Brakes on Renewable Energy

[phantom power]

Most Germans are in favor of the expansion of renewable energy -- provided the plants aren't built in their neighborhood. All over the country, local groups are coming together to stop solar, wind and biogas projects. But where can power plants be built if no one wants them in their backyard?

...

An investor wants to set up solar modules on two sites in Fliege's village, covering a combined area of 40 hectares (99 acres). Fliege wants to prevent it from happening. He scored an initial victory after recently collecting enough signatures to force a referendum, the first ever in the municipality of Theres, which Obertheres belongs to.

Now Fliege is trying to convince his neighbors to vote against the solar parks in the referendum, which will be held on the last Sunday in February. He is standing in the middle of the assembly room at the Obertheres Gymnastics Association next to his laptop, which he has connected a new projector. "So, from the standpoint of energy production, the issue is complete nonsense for Germany," he says.

The citizens of Theres will not just be voting on the planned solar parks. Instead, they are being asked to decide whether open spaces within the town limits can be used for solar power projects at all.

It is a small, local issue, but it relates to some of the world's biggest problems. For instance, it brings to mind the December 2009 United Nations Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, which failed when politicians from 192 countries were unable to come to an agreement. This is bad enough, but what happens when citizens are involved in the decision? Are they prepared to adopt a climate-friendly lifestyle? Do they actually want renewable energy?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,673023,00.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. If they don't want it I will let them build it in my back yard.

[endless october]

2. build them here.

i'll take some renewable energy.

you can put a solar panel on my roof and a windmill in my backyard.

people fighting renewables under NIMBY bullshit are enablers of the failed imported energy model.

[TxRider]

3. Simple, give the locals a cut of the profits.

Money talks.

[joshcryer]

5. In many cases of NIMBYism that I've seen, that's what happens.

Get a big paycheck for letting solar out. There's resistance from the renewable companies, but oh well.

[amborin]

4. solar farms all over southern Spain; Germany better get with the program n/t