Eastern Switzerland St. Gallen government defines areas for wind energy in the structure plan
The St. Gallen government has designated 17 areas suitable for wind power in the cantonal structure plan. Now the basis for a cantonal special land use plan is to be created.
27.09.2024, 10:38
SDA
The government has identified the areas suitable for wind power throughout the canton, the State Chancellery wrote in a press release on Friday. The municipalities and regions had supported the designation of the areas in the structure plan in principle or had refrained from commenting.
Only the municipal authority of Schänis rejected the designation of the Witöfeli/Steinerriet area, according to the press release. As a result, the government has now defined 15 wind suitability areas and included two further areas as preliminary orientation.
The preliminary review of the structure plan amendment by the federal government revealed that the areas of St. Margrehenberg in the municipality of Pfäfers, Hamberg/Alvensberg in the municipalities of Kirchberg and Mosnang, and Tannenberg in the municipalities of Andwil, Gaiserwald, Gossau and Waldkirch could also be designated.
In the Oberland, original conflicts with DDPS installations for national defense could have been resolved. In Toggenburg and Fürstenland, conflicts with aviation safety installations have been resolved.
The adjustment to the structure plan still has to be approved by the federal government. "Once it has come into force, investors will prepare a feasibility and profitability study as well as an environmental impact report for a wind farm project," the press release continued.
This forms the basis for a cantonal special land use plan, which is ultimately used for the approval process. Over the coming months, the Department of Construction and Environment will work with the municipalities to clarify the form, scope and timing of the special use plan.
