Citizen survey on wind energy in Bergneustadt Citizens can provide their assessment of potential wind energy projects

Oberbergischer Kreis. How do the citizens of Bergneustadt feel about the potential construction of wind energy facilities in the Beulberg area? The city of Bergneustadt and the Oberbergischer Kreis are addressing this question with a joint informal citizen survey. The aim is to gather a perspective from Bergneustadt's citizens on the possibilities of utilizing wind energy.

The distribution of documents to eligible voters will begin on October 6, 2026. Participation in the survey is possible until October 25, 2026. The results are intended to serve as additional information for the relevant political committees during further discussions.

The background of the survey involves the wind energy areas designated in the regional plan by the Cologne District Government within Bergneustadt's city limits. Part of the designated areas at Beulberg is owned by the Oberbergischer Kreis. These areas are fundamentally suitable for the construction of up to two wind energy facilities.

Furthermore, the city of Bergneustadt could enable the construction of an additional wind energy facility east of Beulberg by creating the necessary planning conditions.

Personal assessment on two questions

The citizen survey will address the following two questions, which relate to the respective responsibilities of the Oberbergischer Kreis and the city of Bergneustadt, and can be answered with Yes or No:

1. "Do you generally support the possibility of utilizing the areas owned by the Oberbergischer Kreis in the Beulberg area for the construction of up to two wind energy facilities?"

2. "Do you generally support the possibility of creating the necessary planning conditions for the construction of a wind energy facility east of Beulberg?"

Information and participation

All eligible voters in Bergneustadt will receive a joint letter by post with information about the citizen survey and the two questions. Included in the letter are an individual access code and details for online participation.

Alternatively, participation is possible in paper form. The relevant section of the letter can be used and submitted at Bergneustadt City Hall.

Participation is voluntary. Responses will be counted anonymously.

The information required for the citizen survey will be provided along with the letter and additionally published online. Furthermore, a detailed FAQ list on the potential wind energy expansion in Bergneustadt will be made available online.

Results as additional decision-making basis

District Administrator Klaus Grootens emphasizes the importance of early information and involvement of citizens: "Through the joint citizen survey, the Oberbergischer Kreis and the city of Bergneustadt aim to understand how citizens perceive the possibilities of wind energy use at Beulberg. It is important to us to present the various aspects of the topic transparently and to create an additional basis for further political discussions."

Mayor Matthias Thul adds: "I warmly invite all eligible citizens of Bergneustadt to thoroughly inform themselves about the topic and share their personal assessment as part of the citizen survey. The more citizens participate, the more representative the resulting opinion will be."

The results of the citizen survey are intended to serve as an additional basis for the relevant political committees during further discussions. In subsequent steps, it could be evaluated whether and under what technical and economic conditions wind energy use is feasible. The possibility of economic participation by citizens will also be considered. Specific approval questions would only be addressed in the subsequent designated procedures.

The citizen survey solely aims to determine an opinion. It does not represent a decision regarding the use of the areas, the construction of wind energy facilities, or the implementation of a land use planning process, and it does not have legal binding effect. The responsible political committees are free in their decision-making and are not bound by the survey results. Decisions will be made by the respective committees within the framework of legal responsibilities and by weighing all relevant factors.