The permit for wind turbines in the Wild in the Waldviertel is suspended due to the appearance of the Hen Harrier.
“Our plant in Wild in the Horn district shows how slow and frustrating the expansion of renewable energy sources is,” explains EVN spokesperson Stefan Zach, somewhat frustrated. Since 2014 (!), EVN has been trying to build ten wind turbines together with WEB to supply around 35,000 households with green energy. But despite reports, tests and a positive EIA decision last year, the project does not get off the ground. What started as an ambitious showcase project is in danger of sinking into an approval chaos. The area is considered one of the most ecologically thoroughly researched areas in all of Austria.
Mice attract birds of prey
The latest obstacle: the hen harrier, which has temporarily calmed down. The protected bird of prey benefits from the eco moment. The bark beetle has turned the former forest into a clearing that attracts mice. These in turn are delicacies for the harriers. “This is a setback for us,” says Zach, “but we still believe that green energy and conservation can be combined.”
Green energy or fossil energy
But the necessary revision of the project could take months or even years. The debate about the hen harrier is not an isolated issue. Time and again they fail due to lengthy procedures, arbitrary objections and strict conservation requirements. “We now face the choice of whether we implement the energy transition or continue to rely on fossil fuels – with all the consequences for the climate,” Zach warns.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
