Solar expansion no longer necessitates deforestation for construction sites - Solar Projects No Longer Allow Deforestation for Installation Sites
In the heart of Germany, the picturesque region of Saxony is facing a contentious issue as plans for solar plant projects within its forests have surfaced. If realized, these projects would significantly impact the forest area, covering an expanse equivalent to 215 football fields.
Currently, there is limited information available about specific plans for these solar plant constructions in Saxony's forests during the energy transition. However, recent developments in the renewable energy sector in Germany offer some insights.
Many recent developments in the country focus on wind energy, with companies like Energiequelle GmbH actively involved in wind farm projects. For instance, the Zeven wind farm in Lower Saxony is one of their initiatives. Yet, there is no specific mention of solar plant constructions in Saxony or its forests.
While solar projects in forests are not highlighted, there are wind projects being developed in forested areas. For example, the Nordex Group received an order for turbines to be installed at the Fretzdorf site in Brandenburg, near Wittstock/Dosse, which is a forested area.
Germany has been expanding its renewable energy sector, with solar energy playing a significant role. However, specific plans for solar plants in Saxony's forests are not detailed in the available information.
The issue of not building solar plants in forests is a demand made by the Greens in a motion for the Saxon state parliament. The Greens in Saxony also advocate for reforestation and forest expansion instead of converting forest areas for photovoltaic plants.
The reported solar plant projects in Saxon forests are primarily located within forest areas, with 20 such projects planned or already realized, covering a combined area of around 153.6 hectares. The majority of the applications for these projects are still in the approval phase.
Thomas Löser, a prominent figure, has criticized deforestation for solar plants as a wrong approach for the energy transition. He emphasizes that numerous more sensible locations for solar plants, such as roofs or already sealed areas like industrial wastelands and parking lots, are available. The Saxon state government, according to Löser, has the power to instruct lower building authorities not to issue any more permits for the conversion of forest areas for PV plants.
Wolfram Günther, responsible for forestry in the previous legislative period, emphasized the importance of preserving and expanding Saxon forests, particularly in the context of climate change. He highlighted the special role of forests in Saxony, particularly their cooling effect, water storage, and CO2 sink properties.
The increasing number of photovoltaic plants is a positive sign for the energy transition, according to Löser. However, he expresses concern that trust in the energy transition is being destroyed by deforestation for solar plants.
The locations of these solar plant projects, if realized, would be in and around Dresden, based on the information provided. The number of solar plants planned in Saxon forests is 20, as reported in a recent parliamentary question.
The controversy surrounding these solar plant projects in Saxony's forests is a complex issue, balancing the need for renewable energy with the preservation of the region's forests. As more information becomes available, it will be interesting to see how this issue unfolds.
- The community in Saxony is debating the proposed solar plant projects within its forests, as such projects would significantly alter the forest area, equivalent to 215 football fields.
- In the context of Germany's energy transition, solar energy plays a significant role, but specific plans for solar plants in Saxony's forests remain undetailed in the available information.
- The Greens in Saxony have proposed a motion for the state parliament, advocating against building solar plants in forests and instead promoting reforestation and forest expansion.
- Thomas Löser, a prominent figure, has criticized deforestation for solar plants and emphasized the availability of more sensible locations, such as industrial wastelands and parking lots, for such projects.
