By Christian Schnaidt, Chief Operations Officer, aream Group

In order to improve the acceptance of wind turbines by the general public, the Bundesrat today approved §9 para. 8 EEG (new), according to which the night-time lighting of a wind turbine is to be demand-driven in the future. In this way, night lighting is to be reduced by up to 95 % to minimize optical disturbances. Background to the change are complaints from residents as well as the protection of birds and bats, which could possibly be attracted by the flashing and be seriously injured in a collision. 
 
However, since air traffic safety must be guaranteed at all times, the beaconing is to be controlled as required using a radar or transponder solution, so that the warning lights on wind turbines only light up when a flying object approaches.
In its decision at the end of 2018, the governing coalition set July 1st, 2020 as the deadline for the conversion of the 17,500 existing turbines. Since such a deadline, purely for technical planning and implementation, could not be met, the Federal Network Agency has extended the deadline by one year.
 
Despite the high financial outlay for all operators for the installation of the technology of up to EUR 10 - 15,000 per windmill, the protection of species and the acceptance of local residents always has priority.