Wind power in Grünbach: now the citizens have their say

After a non-partisan initiative collected the signatures necessary to hold a referendum, the citizens will now decide on the use of wind power in their community.

“From the outset, our wish was for the municipality to give its citizens a say on the issue of wind power utilisation,” says VERBUND project manager Philipp Stöger. “Just as in Rainbach, the municipality should benefit from affordable and clean electricity from the region, investment products and compensation payments.”
 
Since the beginning of 2024, an intensive dialogue has been taking place in the municipalities of Rainbach and Grünbach regarding seven planned wind turbines around the Schiffberg. Three wind turbines are planned in the municipality of Rainbach and four in Grünbach. The prerequisite for this is a successful environmental impact assessment. With a voter turnout of 60%, 56% in Rainbach voted in favour of the energy solution using wind power at the beginning of June. “We are confident that our energy solution will also meet with approval in Grünbach,” says Philipp Stöger.

Klimasparen (Climate Saving) with wind power

An important form of participation in wind power around the Schiffberg is the Klimasparen (Climate Saving) product: together with a bank partner from the region, VERBUND offers a proven model of a fixed-interest investment product. Interest at a rate of approx. 5% will be possible for a term of 5 years. Up to 5% of the investment volume is thus achieved through a one-off investment. Up to 5,000 euros per person can be subscribed. The Klimasparen (Climate Saving) product is reserved exclusively for residents of municipalities in which the wind power sites are located. 

Low and stable electricity prices 

The wind turbines offer yet another advantage: with the VERBUND citizen electricity model, residents will receive low-cost electricity from the planned wind turbines. Citizens with a VERBUND contract are guaranteed 3,500 kilowatt hours for 20 years at a price of 9.6 cents per kilowatt hour (excluding taxes, grid fees, etc.). Consumption in excess of this is covered by a standard VERBUND tariff. For commercial, agricultural and residential properties with heat pumps, a consumption of up to 5,000 kWh applies. This model aims at offering neighbours direct added value from the wind power plants.

Wind power dialogue Schiffberg

More information on the planned wind power facilities around the Schiffberg