Referendum: No to wind turbines in Mühlviertel's Grünbach

In a referendum held on Sunday, 60 percent of the residents of Grünbach near Freistadt voted against four wind turbines in their community. They opposed the municipal council's granting of the necessary permit for these facilities, planned by Verbund AG. Voter turnout was 75 percent, Verbund reported in a press release.

"We note the result with regret. In our opinion, Grünbach is missing out on a great opportunity for the future," said project manager Philipp Stöger. The committed members of the "Yes to Wind Power" initiative in Grünbach have worked hard to revitalize the dialogue process. "With a transparent and open information campaign, they made the vote possible. We have great respect for that," Stöger continued.

Three wind turbines in Rainbach pursued further

The four wind turbines, along with three others in the neighboring municipality of Rainbach, are to form the Schiffberg wind farm. In Rainbach, where residents voted in favor of wind power a year ago, the three wind turbines are being pursued further and approval is in preparation, the association reported. "The current results of the ongoing investigations give us confidence regarding the project's further progress," said Stöger.

Just two weeks after Grünbach, a referendum on wind power will be held in the Mühlviertel municipality of Schenkenfelden on June 15. Eight new turbines are planned to be added to the two existing ones. Unlike Grünbach, an initiative is mobilizing against the expansion.

APA