Public opinion poll in Carinthia with disappointing result
With 51.5% of the votes cast in an election with a turnout of 34.9%, the population of Carinthia voted against the use of wind power in certain regions. How these are defined is now a matter for the state government. The opponents' only argument was the visibility of the plants in mountainous locations. Sustainable electricity generation, domestic value creation and Carinthia as a business location were ignored in the opponents' campaign.
“Regardless of what you think, 'business as usual' will be expensive for us and for future generations,” says Dietmar Reiner, managing director of VERBUND Green Power GmbH, commenting on the result of the poll in Carinthia. ”Austria has committed to making its contribution to the energy transition. Carinthia will not be able to exclude itself from this, even if the mood is not yet ripe for it.” A broad campaign that fueled people's fears instead of focusing on solutions has succeeded in preventing an objective debate about the future in Carinthia. “Unfortunately, you can't negotiate with physics,” says Dietmar Reiner. The electrification of mobility, heating and industry will further increase electricity demand in Carinthia in the coming years.
This does not affect VERBUND projects for the time being, as there are no zoning regulations yet. How the result of the vote is implemented is a matter for Carinthian state politics. They will have to weigh up the extent to which Carinthia wants to jeopardize its chances as a business location.
