Umweltkontor survey reveals Rugen inhabitants accept offshore wind

A survey carried out by Umweltkontor has revealed that four out of five tourists or local inhabitants of Rügen, a German island in the Baltic Sea, accept offshore wind power projects in principle. Nearly 3000 responded to the opinion poll, conducted from July to September. Three quarters of respondents say they will not be significantly disturbed or bothered by Umweltkontor's planned Adlergrund project. Younger people were more positive than older people. Regular visitors to the popular tourist region were less sure about the project, but Umweltkontor concludes from the survey that tourism is unlikely to be affected. The proposed Adlergrund site lies 40 kilometres north east of Rügen. Umweltkontor is planning a pilot project of 80, 3-5 MW turbines, followed by a second phase of the same size. Turbine supply is still undecided, should the project receive approval. The electricity would be brought ashore at Lubmin, where a nuclear power station was closed 12 years ago and where 2000 MW of gas power station units are under development.