Kasseedorf in turmoil: resistance to mega wind farm is growing!

Kasseedorf in turmoil: resistance to mega wind farm is growing!

A lot is happening in the small Kasseedorf in Ostholstein when it comes to the expansion of renewable energies. Thanks to a change in federal law, municipalities now have the opportunity to design wind power projects independently of the state's plans. This could be the key to a new era of energy supply, but as is often the case, there is also resistance. The community plans to build a wind farm on around 100 hectares with up to eight wind turbines, which will be the highest in Schleswig-Holstein at an impressive 261 meters. Mayor Mario Bielarz from the CDU sees the project as an opportunity to rehabilitate the deficit budget, which is currently at a loss of 800,000 euros.

The expected income of around 300,000 euros annually from electricity generation and trade tax would be good for the community. However, the area intended for the wind farm is not one of the areas designated by the state as priority areas for wind power. The plans are therefore controversial at first glance. The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior has already expressed concerns about planning sovereignty and the required uniform wind power planning, while the new regional plans, which are not due to be completed until the end of 2026, do not identify Kasseedorf's areas as a wind power area. This means that the actual future of the planned wind farm is still up in the air.

Resistance forms

The plans that the “Hanse Windkraft” company wants to implement are serious. At a residents' meeting at the beginning of November, there was resistance to the 100 million euro project. Around 80 citizens discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the wind farm in the old school barn. Many are concerned about the impact on local nature and the potential loss in value of their properties. In particular, residents like Lutz Köhn, who unanimously expressed support for the citizens' initiative protests, see the cutting up of the area as unfair since they are in the immediate vicinity of the planned wind turbines.

During the evening, the committed moderator Mirko Strunge spoke of the residents' clear desire to create a counterpoint to the positive portrayals of the project. Many called for waiting for the wind power areas that had already been planned and for the existing laws to be withdrawn. The Kasseedorf community's initially positive attitude no longer seemed to exist. In September 2024, the mayor and the local council had advocated for greater distances between the wind turbines and nearby settlements, but the rapid move away from active participation in the planning led to a loss of trust among citizens.

Regional plans and nature conservation concerns

On July 29, 2025, the state government approved new regional plans for wind power, which date from 2020. These new plans call for increasing the area dedicated to wind power from 2% to about 3% of the country's area. This development could represent both an opportunity and a challenge for the responsible authorities in Kasseedorf. While the plans were being drawn up, around 3,300 comments were submitted from citizens and are now being evaluated.

The nature conservation concerns cannot be neglected. During the conversation, the possible endangerment of 135 species of birds and bats was pointed out. The emotional pressure from citizens is high because the decision about the fate of the wind farm lies in the hands of the building committee, which is scheduled to vote on the land use plan in March 2026. If this is given the green light, there is a risk of a citizens' initiative - the opponents of the project have already announced this.

It remains to be seen whether the wind farm will become a reality. What is clear, however, is that the local population is heavily involved and is keeping a close eye on what happens next. Ultimately, the interests of citizens, nature and the need for an energy transition must be reconciled - a truly demanding task that does not promise to be an easy task.

For further information about the regional plans in Schleswig-Holstein, see NDR or shz. Here you will also find details about the state government's current plans schleswig-holstein.de.