Why a solar park in Hemer (at the Edelburg) is feasible, while the Landhausen industrial area is facing resistance – Image: Xpert.Digital
Hemer in Dilemma: Why a Solar Park Gets the Green Light, But an Industrial Area Fails
### Climate protection before jobs? What the dispute in Hemer reveals about Germany's future ### One law changes everything: The simple reason why solar power is being built in Hemer instead of industrial sites ### The boost for the energy transition: This is how easy it is now to get solar parks approved ###
Edelburg Solar Park vs. Landhausen Industrial Estate: A battle that divides an entire city
In the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Hemer, two visions for the future are colliding: While a large-scale solar park at Edelburg Castle is being celebrated as a flagship project of the energy transition, the plan for a new industrial park in Landhausen is encountering fierce resistance from thousands of residents. This local struggle is far more than a dispute over land; it is a prime example of the ordeal facing many German municipalities – caught between the need for economic growth, the pressure of the energy transition, and the growing desire for nature and landscape conservation.
The central question posed in Hemer is a controversial one: Why does the realization of a solar park seem relatively easy, while a traditional development project like an industrial park encounters massive planning hurdles and a wave of outrage? The answer lies in a complex mix of legal privileges for renewable energies, changing societal priorities, and the increased power of citizens' initiatives. Comparing the two projects reveals a profound shift: Climate protection has become a paramount public interest, redefining the rules of urban development and fundamentally challenging traditional economic development.
Thousands protest against industrial area – but everyone applauds this solar project
The city of Hemer is facing a planning dilemma that reflects the current tensions in German energy and economic policy. While a large-scale solar park is planned for construction at Edelburg Castle, the Green Alternative Hemer (GAH) is fighting for the creation of an industrial park in Landhausen. These different development paths exemplify how priorities in German municipal politics are shifting under the influence of the energy transition and climate protection.
The current planning situation in Hemer
Edelburg Solar Park: A flagship project of the energy transition
Planning for a large solar park at Edelburg Castle is already well advanced. The project joins a series of successful renewable energy projects in Hemer, which began with the Grohe Solar Park. The fittings manufacturer Grohe already commissioned a 20,000 square meter solar park in 2021, considered one of the largest in the region. This facility produces 3.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, covering 14 percent of the plant's energy needs.
The planned solar park at Edelburg Castle would continue this trend and position Hemer as a pioneer in sustainable energy generation. Hamburg-based Enerparc AG has already expressed interest in implementing the project. Such large-scale projects benefit from the currently favorable legal framework for renewable energies in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Landhausen industrial area: resistance from the population
Parallel to the solar plans, GAH has been pushing ahead with efforts to create an industrial park in Landhausen. However, this 32-hectare project is facing considerable opposition from the community. A citizens' initiative has already collected more than 2,200 signatures against the project and is demanding that the plans be stopped immediately. Critics argue that there are enough underutilized industrial parks and that a contiguous landscape conservation area does not need to be destroyed.
Legal and planning law differences
Privileging solar systems
A key difference between solar parks and industrial zones lies in their legal treatment. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems enjoy a privileged position under certain circumstances under building law. Systems along highways and railway lines, in particular, can be approved without complex development plan procedures. This significantly speeds up the approval process and reduces planning costs.
North Rhine-Westphalia has also expanded the area available for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems with the amendment to its state development plan. The state government is striving for a massive expansion of solar energy, as currently only about five percent of the installed photovoltaic capacity is accounted for by ground-mounted systems. By 2030, ground-mounted systems with an installed capacity of approximately 7.8 gigawatts are to be added in NRW.
Complex procedures for industrial areas
Industrial areas, on the other hand, are subject to significantly stricter planning requirements. The designation of new commercial areas requires extensive development plan procedures with public participation. The hurdles are particularly high in landscape conservation areas, such as Landhausen. Although the new regional plan for the Märkischer Kreis envisions the area as an intermunicipal commercial and industrial zone, implementation remains difficult.
Economic and energy policy factors
Climate protection as a driver
Climate protection has become a paramount public interest, playing a central role in planning decisions. Solar parks make a direct contribution to CO2 reduction and the energy transition. The Grohe solar park, for example, already completed, saves 1,173 tons of CO2 annually.
The city of Hemer adopted a comprehensive energy and climate protection concept in 2012, which defines the promotion of renewable energy technologies as a key measure. The intermunicipal heat planning with Iserlohn further underscores the importance of the energy transition for urban development.
Lack of commercial space versus land consumption
Hemer suffers from an acute shortage of commercial space. Assessments for the revision of the land-use plan have identified a significant need for additional commercial space. The town's historically developed industrial structure, with traditional metalworking companies and modern companies like Grohe, requires expansion opportunities.
However, this need is counteracted by increasing pressure to use land sparingly. The reuse of brownfield sites is explicitly encouraged in the new regional plan. Solar parks are considered a comparatively space-saving form of land use, as they are reversible and often allow for dual use.
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Citizen participation stops commercial plans – what this means for the region
Social acceptance and citizen participation
Different perceptions among the population
Public acceptance of the two projects differs considerably. Solar parks are generally perceived positively as a contribution to climate protection. The Grohe solar park has been described as a "flagship project" and "motivation for others." Mayor Christian Schweitzer sees such projects as a "meaningful building block for climate-friendly urban development."
The planned industrial park in Landhausen, however, is facing widespread opposition. The citizens' initiative argues that it is important to protect the landscape, nature, and biodiversity. The discussion demonstrates how societal priorities have shifted: While economic development was often viewed uncritically in the past, environmental and climate protection aspects are now at the forefront.
Participation and democratic legitimacy
The different participation procedures reflect the more complex requirements of industrial zones. While solar parks can often be approved through simplified procedures, industrial zones require extensive public participation processes. However, this democratic control also leads to longer planning times and higher costs.
Technological and economic developments
Solar energy as an economic factor
Solar parks have now become an economic factor in their own right. The Grohe solar park has paid for itself in just a few months and is generating significant cost savings. The company was able to realize a profitable investment without any government subsidies. This also makes solar parks attractive for municipal budgets, as they can generate rental income.
The town of Hemer benefits from a favorable geographical location with approximately 1,580 to 1,700 hours of sunshine per year. Optimally positioned systems can achieve annual yields of 910 to 1,030 kilowatt hours per kilowatt peak. These conditions make solar farms in the region particularly cost-effective.
Industrial Transformation
Hemer's traditional industry is undergoing a transformation. While the historical roots of metalworking and wire drawing are still evident, the requirements for modern industrial sites have changed. Companies like Grohe demonstrate how established industrial operations can develop into sustainable, energy-efficient production sites.
The combination of combined heat and power plant, solar park, and water treatment plant at the Grohe site covers over 20 percent of the energy needs from its own sources. Such integrated energy concepts could serve as a model for future industrial developments.
Regional and supra-regional classification
NRW as a pioneer of the energy transition
North Rhine-Westphalia is positioning itself as a pioneering region in the expansion of renewable energies. The state government has set ambitious goals: NRW is expected to contribute a significant share of the nationwide target of 215 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity by 2030. This explains the preferential treatment of solar projects in regional planning.
The Arnsberg district government has already legally adopted the new regional plan for the Märkischer Kreis district. This plan provides for areas for both renewable energy and commercial development, with the energy transition taking priority.
Intercommunal cooperation
Hemer is increasingly pursuing intermunicipal approaches to land development. An innovative commercial land concept is to be developed together with Iserlohn and Menden. This regional cooperation could help reduce land pressure and find more sustainable solutions.
The intermunicipal heat planning project with Iserlohn demonstrates how neighboring municipalities can coordinate the energy transition. Such cooperative approaches could also lead to better results in commercial land development.
Revitalization instead of land consumption: densification as a solution
Possible compromise solutions
GAH and other political actors could benefit from a reassessment of priorities. Instead of focusing exclusively on the designation of new industrial sites, alternative strategies could be developed:
The densification of existing commercial areas often offers untapped potential. Many established industrial areas have reserve space or can be used more efficiently with more modern development. The revitalization of brownfield sites complies with current planning principles and encounters less resistance.
Modern industrial parks can be designed as energy-plus locations. The integration of photovoltaics, energy storage, and sustainable mobility concepts makes such areas more attractive to innovative companies and increases social acceptance.
Role of renewable energies
Solar parks could become catalysts for sustainable regional development. Combining photovoltaics with storage technologies, electromobility, and modern production processes opens up new opportunities for economic development.
The energy transition is also creating new jobs in the region. From project development to installation and operation, employment opportunities are emerging that can partially offset the loss of traditional industrial jobs.
Municipal future debate: Law, acceptance and transformation in Hemer
The diverse developments in Hemer reflect a fundamental shift in German local politics. While economic considerations often dominated in the past, climate protection and sustainable development are now the focus. Solar parks benefit from this shift through legal privileges, financial attractiveness, and social acceptance.
Industrial areas, on the other hand, must meet the increased demands for environmental sustainability and citizen participation. This leads to more complex and time-consuming planning procedures, which, however, serve to ensure democratic legitimacy.
The future may lie in integrated approaches that combine economic development and climate protection. Hemer could take a pioneering role in this and demonstrate how traditional industrial sites can be successfully transformed. The combination of renewable energies, sustainable commercial development, and intermunicipal cooperation offers promising prospects for sustainable urban development.
The debate about solar parks versus industrial zones is ultimately part of a larger societal debate about the future of our economy and way of life. Hemer is a prime example of the challenges that many German municipalities will have to face in the coming years.
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