The oldest community-owned wind turbine in Bavaria is set to become a museum exhibit. The wind turbine, originating from Selbitz in the Hof district, is being dismantled and transported to the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Starting in 2028, components of the wind turbine will be featured in the permanent exhibition "Energy – Electricity," according to museum spokesperson Gerrit Faust. Following a comprehensive renovation, the second section of the exhibition building, housing new exhibits, is scheduled to reopen in three years.
Wolfgang Degelmann, the district manager of the Bund Naturschutz (BN, Friends of the Earth Germany) in Hof, affectionately refers to the Selbitz wind turbine as his "baby." It was erected in 1995 and commenced operations in 1996. Today, Hof, Bavaria’s northeasternmost district, boasts 113 wind turbines, surpassing any other district in the Free State, Degelmann notes. "We embarked on the energy transition very early in the Hof district."
The motivation behind this early adoption stemmed from a serious environmental concern, the conservationist explains. "Our region had the worst air quality in Bavaria." Pollution arrived from three directions: the coal mining regions in the nearby Czech Egergraben, the Ruhr area, and the Leuna chemical plants near Halle an der Saale, once the largest chemical complex in East Germany. The Hof region experienced an alarmingly high incidence of pseudocroup, an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract commonly affecting infants and young children.
To generate clean energy locally, the BN aimed to construct a wind turbine. However, securing the necessary funding posed a challenge. The association devised a community participation model, allowing residents of the region to invest between 1,000 and 20,000 D-Mark each in the wind turbine’s financing. In return, investors would receive a share of the profits. This initiative garnered 350,000 Mark in equity. The Free State of Bavaria contributed a subsidy of 100,000 Mark, and the BN secured an additional 900,000 Mark in loans.
"We engaged the people at the time and demonstrated that the expansion of renewable energies can be successful with community participation," Wolfgang Degelmann concludes positively. There are now over 1,000 wind turbines generating green electricity in Bavaria. In 2022, the so-called 10H rule was relaxed. This regulation previously imposed strict distance requirements between wind turbines and residential areas in Bavaria, hindering the construction of new facilities. Since its easing, the number of wind turbines being erected in the Free State has significantly increased.
Despite the favorable returns for investors, the community participation model for renewable energy sources has not become widespread, says Wolfgang Degelmann. The majority of wind turbines in Bavaria are owned by companies rather than local residents.
The upcoming "Energy – Electricity" exhibition at the Deutsches Museum will not showcase the entire wind turbine. Instead, only the nacelle, the housing containing the generator and other vital components, will be on display, according to spokesperson Gerrit Faust. "And visitors will even be able to look inside, so that the functioning of the wind turbine can be better explained."
Furthermore, the exhibition will highlight the concept of the community wind turbine. The Deutsches Museum team is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the wind turbine from Selbitz, Faust emphasizes. "In the end, we not only acquired an object of the right size, but also one with a compelling story." The story encompasses the environmental challenges faced by the Hof region, the innovative community-based financing model, and the pioneering role the wind turbine played in Bavaria’s energy transition. The museum hopes to convey the significance of citizen involvement in promoting sustainable energy solutions and inspire future generations to embrace renewable energy technologies.
The Selbitz wind turbine serves as a tangible reminder of the early efforts to combat air pollution and promote clean energy in Bavaria. Its inclusion in the Deutsches Museum’s collection underscores its historical importance and its contribution to the development of renewable energy in the region. The exhibit will not only educate visitors about the technical aspects of wind energy but also about the social and economic dimensions of the energy transition. It will demonstrate how community initiatives can drive innovation and create a more sustainable future.
The dismantling and relocation of the wind turbine represent a bittersweet moment for the residents of Selbitz and the Hof district. While they bid farewell to a local landmark, they can take pride in the fact that their pioneering efforts are being recognized and celebrated on a national stage. The wind turbine will continue to serve as a symbol of their commitment to environmental stewardship and their vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Its presence in the Deutsches Museum will ensure that its story is preserved and shared with generations to come, inspiring others to take action and contribute to the global energy transition. The narrative woven around the wind turbine will illustrate the power of collective action, the importance of community engagement, and the potential for renewable energy to transform lives and communities.
