Model Example of Citizen Participation: Energiequelle and Citizens‘ Energy Cooperatives Honored for Wind Farm in Thuringia

Erfurt/Großschwabhausen (Germany) – The Thuringian Energy and GreenTech Agency (ThEGA) has recognized the Großschwabhausen wind farm project in the Weimarer Land region as a model example of successful citizen participation. Honored were Energiequelle GmbH and the citizens‘ energy cooperatives “Saale-Holzland,” “Ilmtal,” and “Jena.”

The jointly planned wind farm is set to include six Enercon E-160 turbines with a total capacity of 33.36 MW, scheduled for completion by 2028. Close collaboration between Energiequelle and the participating citizens‘ energy cooperatives will enable up to three of the six wind turbines to be transferred into community ownership — a model designed to promote local value creation and public acceptance.

"The cooperation with the cooperatives is a forward-looking model that strengthens acceptance and participation," emphasized Stefan Siegmund of Energiequelle. Ramona Rothe of ThEGA also praised the project as a " a model for successful citizen involvement".

The first construction phase, involving two turbines on the Kleinschwabhausen district, was approved in early July. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2027, with commissioning planned for May 2028. The second construction phase, including four additional turbines, is expected to receive approval in early 2026, with commissioning planned for October 2028. Further projects involving citizen energy stakeholders are planned for northern Thuringia.

Source: IWR Online, 29 Jul 2025