Abstract
In Germany, regional planning plays a key role in the designation of sites for wind turbines. Relying on instruments such as “priority areas”, “suitable areas” and “exclusion areas”, regional planners have the legal authority to designate areas for wind energy schemes. Bearing in mind their leading role in the final decision regarding the siting of such plants, regional planners find themselves on the firing line between the supporters and opponents of wind power. The first group considers wind power as an efficient, clean and safe source of energy as well as an alternative to non-regenerative fuels. For the second group, wind farms present a risk to health and are drivers of an unwanted change of landscape. The aim of this paper is to examine the potentials and limitations of regional planning concerning these conflicts. Specifically, we investigate the ongoing regional plan for the Saxon planning region Oberes Elbtal/Osterzgebirge (Upper Elbe Valley/Eastern Ore Mountains). One interesting aspect of the planning process is a dedicated working group that aims to bring together supporters and opponents of wind energy. The results show that while regional planning can help to bring transparency to the planning process, it is unable to resolve the basic conflict between the two sides.
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