Minister lifts objection to Aarhus wind turbine plan

Denmark’s Minister for Cities, Rural Areas and Transport, Signe Munk, has lifted Syddjurs Municipality’s objection to three planned wind turbines near the municipal boundary, allowing Aarhus Municipality to advance the project, DR reports.

The turbines are planned to stand 150 metres tall near Vosnæs. The minister concluded they would not significantly affect Syddjurs’ development and could fit into the existing landscape, Syddjurs Municipality said in a press release. A project visualisation says 51 residents live within 900 metres of the turbines.

Syddjurs Mayor Michael Stegger disagrees with the assessment. He said homes could be affected, including through a risk of falling property values, and argued that residents in neighbouring municipalities should be heard when large projects are planned close to their borders.

Stegger said Syddjurs supports the green transition but believes it should respect nature and cultural heritage, including Kalø Vig castle ruin, a tourist destination. He also warned that a lack of local dialogue could weaken public trust in decisions about renewable energy.

Aarhus can now continue work on the local plan. Kristian Sommer, deputy chair of the municipality’s nature and climate committee, expects the city council to consider the plan with a view to adopting it. He said Aarhus is ambitious on climate issues but needs to build wind turbines to meet its goals.

Sommer said he understood Syddjurs’ frustration and acknowledged that people may disagree about whether turbines of this height fit the landscape. Aarhus Councillor for Technical Services and Environment Nicolaj Bang said he understood the impact on local residents and that the next step is now for the city council to decide.