Thisted council approves wind and solar projects despite 63% local opposition

Thisted municipal council voted Wednesday night to push ahead with two large renewable energy projects in northern Denmark, overriding a non-binding local referendum in which 63.5% of residents rejected the plans.

The decision clears the way for six 180-meter wind turbines and 40 hectares of solar panels near Røjkær, as well as a second wind project at Spolum. Both passed by narrow margins—14 to 13 for Røjkær and 15 to 12 for Spolum—after less than an hour of debate, DR reports.

Local resident Martin Christensen, whose property borders the Røjkær site, called the outcome a failure of democracy. “The Thy model is dead,” he said, referring to the council’s award-winning approach of requiring broad community support before approving renewable projects. “We can no longer claim we prioritize citizen involvement in Thisted.”

The Thy model, which won a national climate prize this year for its emphasis on local ownership, fair compensation, and landscape integration, stipulates that projects should only proceed with “broad support” from affected communities. Jens Tilma (K), chair of the municipality’s environment committee, said the votes had undermined its credibility. “It has no political legitimacy now—people won’t trust it when decisions go against their vote.”

Mayor Niels Jørgen Pedersen (V), who supported both projects, disputed that the model had collapsed. “Unlike many others, I think it’s working,” he said, citing extensive dialogue and landscape concessions. But Christensen, facing turbines and solar arrays in his backyard, dismissed the claim: “You can’t say we have a model that listens to citizens.”