The debate over wind energy in Switzerland is growing more intense as two popular initiatives challenge the expansion of wind power. The association “Freie Landschaft Schweiz” has launched these initiatives, emphasizing the protection of forests and the democratic participation of local communities.
The first initiative, titled “Against the destruction of our forests by wind turbines,” aims to restrict the construction of wind turbines in forests and forest pastures. This would prevent deforestation of areas equivalent to the size of a football field for each planned turbine.
The second initiative, “For the protection of direct democracy in wind parks,” demands mandatory referendums in affected municipalities for the construction of wind turbines taller than 30 meters. This measure seeks to ensure that local residents have a say in decisions impacting their environment and daily lives.
These initiatives question the widely promoted environmental benefits of wind energy. While proponents highlight its CO2-free electricity generation and positive climate impact, critics argue that the reality is more complex. They point to issues such as the disposal challenges posed by rotor blades containing toxic composite materials and PFAS chemicals.
Despite these concerns, studies show that wind energy remains one of the least environmentally impactful electricity generation technologies. In Switzerland, large-scale wind turbines produce electricity with cumulative greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 8 and 32 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh—significantly lower than the current energy mix.
The initiatives have already garnered support, with 27,000 verified signatures for the community protection initiative as of March 17, 2025. They reflect growing concerns about preserving Switzerland’s landscape and ensuring local decision-making processes.
These popular initiatives represent a pivotal moment in Swiss energy policy. They call for a careful balance between advancing renewable energy goals and safeguarding nature and local autonomy. The upcoming public debate will be crucial in shaping the future of wind energy in Switzerland and could have significant implications for the national energy strategy.
Czech Republic as a landfill site for German wind turbines
Renewable energy from wind power is apparently not as sustainable as the Greens regularly make us believe. Highly problematic glass fibre waste from disused wind turbines in Germany is being illegally disposed of by our neighbours in the Czech Republic – disguised as harmless plastic for further processing. This casts a telling light on the energy transition that the German government is pushing with all its might. Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladík has clear words for this behaviour. He unequivocally describes the action as a ‘fraudulent, criminal act’.
The waste scandal in the Czech Republic is expanding, with new illegal dump sites discovered. According to Czech media reports, an additional 526 tons of waste have been found, allegedly sent from a company in Upper Palatinate, Germany. This waste includes discarded vehicle batteries and wind turbine rotor blades.
The first illegal dump was reported on January 9th by the mayor of Jiříkov, Bára Šišková, who discovered tons of illegal waste near her village close to Ostrava. She personally prevented five more trucks from unloading that day. Czech Deputy Environment Minister František Talíř stated on Facebook that while the waste was officially declared as plastic, it actually consisted of a mixture of fiberglass, rubber, metals, and battery remnants.
This week, two more and even larger dump sites were uncovered in Brno and Mokovice-Slizany, containing over 500 tons of identical waste (equivalent to 30 truck loads). Czech media are referring to Moravia as “Europe’s dumping ground.”
Miriam Loužecká, spokesperson for the Czech Environment Ministry, mentioned finding “whole wing pieces or parts of wind turbines” at the illegal sites. The waste reportedly originated from a disposal company with a facility in Wernberg and headquarters in Weiden, Upper Palatinate. Shipments occurred from June 2024 to January 2025, addressed to the Czech company Piroplastik, which apparently does not operate any waste disposal facilities at the mentioned locations.
Criminal investigations are underway in both countries, with close cooperation between authorities. The Weiden public prosecutor’s office is investigating the “recycling specialist” from Weiden. In January 2025, the company premises in Wernberg and private/company addresses in Weiden were searched. The CEO and a senior employee are listed as suspects.
The disposal of wind turbine rotor blades poses a significant environmental challenge. By 2040, an estimated 77,000 to 210,000 tons of discarded carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) rotor blades are expected to accumulate. CFRP waste cannot be incinerated, and landfill disposal has been banned in Germany since 2005.
The government of Upper Palatinate is now dealing with the repatriation of the waste. The first five stopped trucks have already returned to the company premises in Wernberg. Formal requests for the return of the additional 500 tons of waste have been received from the Czech Environment Ministery.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in proper disposal of complex materials like wind turbine components and the need for stricter oversight in waste management and cross-border waste shipments.
Read more: Oberpfalzecho
You can find more information on these initiatives and signature forms under the following links:
Popular initiative: In favour of the protection of direct democracy in wind farms (community protection initiative)
www.gemeindeschutz-ja.ch/
Popular initiative: Against the destruction of our forests by wind turbines (forest protection initiative)
www.waldschutz-ja.ch/
Double sheet of the two popular initiatives:
www.gemeindeschutz-ja.ch/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Doppelbogen-D.pdf
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