Alarm bells are ringing in Wesertal because current estimates indicate that the reserves for dismantling the Reinhardswald wind farm may not be sufficient. The problem seems harmless until the bill comes due, when a shortfall in the hundreds of millions of euros looms. This shortfall doesn’t automatically go to the operator. Instead, it can trickle down the county level and into municipal budgets. That’s precisely why the Wesertal town council acted unanimously, with a clear mandate: facts, not wishful thinking. (hna: 17.02.26)
Expert report to clarify whether decommissioning guarantees leave a dangerous gap
Wesertal is demanding an independent expert report from the Kassel district regarding the adequacy of the stipulated decommissioning guarantees. This comes amid discussions suggesting that the sums deposited by the operators are unlikely to cover the actual decommissioning costs. The resolution calls for an assessment of “the adequacy of the decommissioning guarantees stipulated for the Reinhardswald wind farm,” to be conducted with the involvement of external experts. The municipality is thus raising an uncomfortable question: What happens if, in the end, only paper assets remain instead of actual reserves?
Because if the security deposits are insufficient, the system doesn’t just create an abstract risk, but a concrete obligation to make additional payments. The district would then have to cover the deficit, and the municipalities within the district would be burdened proportionally. In practice, this means that an operator’s problem becomes a municipal problem, and a municipal problem quickly becomes a problem for neighboring communities. Therefore, Wesertal doesn’t want to wait until the dismantling is imminent, but rather have the underlying issues examined now.
In addition, Wesertal is relying on cooperation, because a single municipality can do little against a structural financial risk. The municipal council is to write to the parliaments of the other 27 municipalities in the district. The goal is an “inter-municipal exchange about potential financial risks arising from the dismantling of wind turbines.” This will create political pressure and simultaneously reveal the true extent of the potential burden on the entire district.
Wesertal is also counting on a united effort, because a single town can do little to counter a structural financial risk.
Dismantling could cost hundreds of millions – and the municipalities might be left footing the bill
FWG parliamentary group leader Maik Lobitz cites expert assessments indicating that the complete dismantling of the 18 facilities, including ancillary structures, could cost hundreds of millions of euros. This would be a completely different scale than previously estimated and would also exceed the amount currently deposited with the district as a safety margin. This is precisely where the danger lies: underestimating costs creates a financial time bomb that could explode years later.
For Wesertal, Lobitz derives a potential risk of over two million euros from this, because the municipality, like all municipalities within the district, would be liable for deficits in the district budget. Lobitz emphasizes: “This risk arises particularly because the current assessment of dismantling costs is significantly underestimated.” This is the key message, because we’re not talking about small change, but sums that could stifle local investment. If several municipalities had to bear similar burdens, the situation quickly escalates from “unpleasant” to “existentially threatening” to their financial viability.
Therefore, Wesertal is pressing for a thorough review, because later corrections are rarely effective. If operating structures change, companies are sold, or guarantees become outdated, raising the missing millions becomes difficult. Often, the only option left is to pass the costs on to the district, and thus the bill falls on the municipalities. Wesertal wants to prevent citizens from ultimately paying through higher fees, reduced services, or canceled projects.
“Mistakes were made” – and now they want to prevent the municipalities from paying the price
Oliver Penner (FWG) succinctly sums up the situation: “No one is able to say what the dismantling will actually cost. Mistakes were made.” This implies that decisions were based on overly optimistic assumptions. Such errors cannot be rectified later with press releases, because then hard numbers are what count. That is precisely why Wesertal is demanding an independent expert opinion before uncertainty turns into a chain of liability.
Support is also coming from the CDU, specifically for transparency. Dr. Marcus Götz says: “Unlike some other CDU members, we in Wesertal would like to know the actual costs of the dismantling.” This makes it clear that Wesertal is not prepared to shirk its responsibilities. All factions voted in favor of the motion because the logic is simple: If the reserves are too small, the municipalities will ultimately be liable. And if the municipalities are liable, the neighboring communities will be the first to suffer.