Schiffberg wind power dialogue

VERBUND is currently investigating the possibility of utilising wind power around the Schiffberg. A total of up to seven wind turbine sites are possible in the municipalities of Rainbach and Grünbach. This provides citizens with promising opportunities for participation.

Contact

Florian Seidl

Spokesperson Region East

Information on the state of planning

Following the positive outcome of the referendum in June, project planning continued intensively in the summer months. In our latest newsletter, we provide an insight into the state of the planning. Three wind turbines with an output of around 7 MW are being planned. They generate electricity for about 10,000 households every year.
The opportunities of the “Klimasparen” product and the citizen electricity model offer the people of Rainbach an excellent opportunity: by investing in renewable energies, they not only protect the environment, but also benefit from attractive returns.

November 2024 newsletter

Schiffberg: anemometer mast is up

VERBUND has erected an anemometer mast in the Schiffberg project area to measure wind quality. Ecological information is also collected.

Photos and press release

Wind power in Grünbach: citizens should decide!

On 2 June, 56% of the population of Rainbach voted to use the energy of wind power in their municipality. This now opens the way for the environmental impact assessment. The municipality benefits from low-cost electricity, investment products and compensation payments. The citizens in Grünbach are also set to decide.

To the press release

YES to wind power from the Schiffberg

On 2 June, the municipality of Rainbach im Mühlkreis gets to vote on wind energy. Today’s press conference with Mayor Günter Lorenz is the highlight of a series of information and dialogue events in the region.
We are all hoping for a high voter turnout for this important decision. This will allow us to take the first steps in the comprehensive environmental impact assessment process. At the same time, we will be present with our information stands in the villages of the municipality during the week and are looking forward to talking to the people of Rainbach.

To the press conference

Visiting the wind turbines

An interested group of citizens from Rainbach and Grünbach took the opportunity to watch a wind farm in operation on 15 May. In a conversation with Martin Knill, the managing director of the company operating the Gross Schweinbarth wind farm (Lower Austria), many questions about the operation and construction of wind turbines were answered. The turbines are comparable to those planned around the Schiffberg. The facility is extremely efficient thanks to the independent alignment of the rotor blades depending on the wind direction. Some participants were particularly surprised by the quiet operation of the smooth-running turbines. Particular attention was paid to the fact that wind turbines automatically switch off if they cast too much shadow in order to avoid adverse effects.

We present: the new project newsletter!

Project manager Philipp Stöger and VERBUND project coordinator Lisa Csenar present the first issue of the Schiffberg project newsletter. The expansion of domestic wind power benefits everyone, but especially the communities that have decided in favour of it. Modern projects take into account more than just environment-related interests. The focus is clearly on the benefits for the project region and the residents of the municipality. In our project newsletter, we present the Schiffberg wind power project. In this issue, you can find out how you and your community can benefit from the expansion of this clean source of electricity.

Schiffberg project newsletter to download

Objective dialogue on wind power

An objective dialogue needs honesty. That includes a clean visualisation of the project locations. Wind turbines are visible signs of the energy transition, depending on your point of view. This means that wind turbines also offer the opportunity for targeted manipulation to fuel public opinion. The project management points to this as being a sign of transparency and rejects the circulating accounts. A realistic presentation is necessary as a contribution to objectification.

Gegenüberstellung Fotomontage vs. Visualisierung

15 May: Excursion to the Groß-Schweinbarth wind farm

We invite all residents of Grünbach and Rainbach to visit the wind farm in the Lower Austrian municipality of Groß-Schweinbarth with us on 15 May. The wind farm operator will be on hand not only to explain how the facility works, but also to answer your questions on the project’s development.
We look forward to seeing you!

Date: 15 May 2025, 7:15 am to 5:00 pm
Departure from Rainbach at 7:15 am, Prager Straße 2 (Weinhäusl)
Arrival at the municipal offices in Grünbach at 7:30 am
Return: departure at approx. 2:00 pm – arrival at approx. 5:00 pm

Registration by email to schiffberg@verbund.com
or by phoning the municipal offices in
Grünbach (+43 7942 72813) or Rainbach (+43 7949 6255)

Invitation as pdf

Dialogue events in Rainbach and Grünbach

Further dialogue events on the Schiffberg wind power project were held in the municipalities of Rainbach and Grünbach in March. Both in the Kultursaal Grünbach and in the NMS Rainbach, numerous local residents took the opportunity to talk to experts from the VERBUND project team. In addition to the planned facility locations, there was particular interest in the participation possibilities. Both Klimasparen (Climate Saving) as well as lower cost electricity and balancing payments from the municipal package were received with great interest.

Press release on Citizens’ Dialogue