In Windhagen, local residents are raising funds for a legal review and a potential lawsuit against two planned 250-meter wind turbines at Dachsberg. The turbines are set to be built right on the state border near Bad Honnef, while many of the affected homes are located in Rhineland-Palatinate. The municipality intended to provide financial support to the residents, but the municipal supervisory authority raised legal concerns. Consequently, the residents’ group is now bearing the costs itself and preparing for possible further steps.
Municipality barred from covering private legal costs
The residents initially sought financial support from the Windhagen local municipality’s budget. However, following intervention by the municipal supervisory authority, the municipality cannot cover these private legal costs. Consequently, the financial risk remains with the residents, even though the project could alter their immediate surroundings.
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Six local residents have therefore engaged a specialized law firm from Münster. The initial assessment costs 5,000 euros, and the group has already paid 2,500 euros out of pocket. By July 14, a fundraising campaign had raised 3,003 euros from 45 supporters.
250-meter wind turbines set to generate 41 million kilowatt-hours
Bad Honnef AG and SL Naturenergie are planning two Enercon E-175 model turbines. Each turbine reaches a total height of approximately 249.5 meters and is designed to produce around seven megawatts of power. Together, the 250-meter wind turbines are expected to generate approximately 41 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The Bad Honnef city council has been pursuing the project since 2022. A broad majority voted in favor of the project in February 2026, and the site is located within a designated wind energy zone. The approval process covers issues such as noise, shadow flicker, and nature and species conservation.
Residents examine approval process, environmental impacts, and potential legal action
Residents are particularly critical of the proximity to residential areas. According to the operator, the distance from one of the turbines to the nearest house is approximately 670 meters. Consequently, they are having the potential effects on noise levels, the landscape, quality of living, and property values legally assessed.
However, the initiative emphasizes that it does not categorically reject the energy transition. It demands a comprehensive review of the approval process and the environmental impacts for Windhagen. Should the law firm identify any errors, further objections or a lawsuit against the 250-meter wind turbines could follow.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Rhein Zeitung (11.07.26) – Gofundme (Stand: 14.07.26) – Windenergie-Dachsberg (Stand:14.07.26) – Honnef Heute (16.04.26)