A continental company received the nod to tear down renewable energy structures and replace them with a fossil fuel project.
RWE recently began demolishing part of the Keyenberg Wind Farm to make way for the Garzweiler Coal Expansion, 262km northwest of Frankfurt.
The Germany-headquartered proponent claims the controversial decision to dismantle 13 turbines is necessary due to the global energy crisis, their dated 20 year-old design and arguably poor energy efficiency compared to newer models.
“We realise this comes across as paradoxical but that is a matter [that] stands,” RWE press secretary Guido Steffen said according to Fox Business.
Eight turbines were already removed at the time of publication. The remaining five structures will be torn down before the end of 2023.
The regional Economic and Energy Affairs Ministry criticised RWE for failing to “exhaust” the turbines and operate them “as long as possible”.
“We do not currently see any necessity to dismantle the wind power plant by the L12 near the Garzweiler surface mine,” a ministry spokesperson said according to the broadcaster.
Anti-mining activists unsuccessfully contested the mine expansion, with a local court ruling in favour of the proponent back in March 2022.
The project involves clearing 48 sq km of land to expand the existing mine pit, which is promised to yield about 190 million tonnes of brown coal. An estimated 7500 affected residents must relocate and their properties will be purchased for the expansion.
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