Why a solar park is feasible in Hemer (near Edelburg), while the Landhausen industrial park is facing resistance – Image: Xpert.Digital
Hemer in a 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 parks are being built in Hemer instead of industrial areas ### The turbocharger for the energy transition: This is how easily solar parks can now be approved ###
Edelburg solar park vs. Landhausen industrial park: A battle that divides an entire city
In the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Hemer, two visions for the future are clashing: While a large-scale solar park at Edelburg is being celebrated as a flagship project of the energy transition, the plan for a new industrial park in Landhausen is meeting with fierce resistance from thousands of citizens. This local struggle is far more than a dispute over land; it is a prime example of the dilemma many German municipalities face – 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 in Hemer is a sensitive one: Why does the realization of a solar park seem to be relatively straightforward, while a traditional development project like an industrial park encounters massive planning hurdles and a wave of public outrage? The answer lies in a complex mix of legal privileges for renewable energies, shifting societal priorities, and the increased power of citizens' initiatives. Comparing the two projects reveals a profound transformation: Climate protection has become a paramount public interest, redefining the rules of urban development and fundamentally challenging traditional economic development strategies.
Thousands protest against the industrial park – but everyone applauds this solar project
The city of Hemer faces a planning dilemma that reflects the current tensions in German energy and economic policy. While a large-scale solar park is planned for Edelburg, the Green Alternative Hemer (GAH) is campaigning for the creation of an industrial park in Landhausen. These differing development paths exemplify how priorities in German local 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
Plans for a large solar park at Edelburg are 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 commissioned a 20,000-square-meter solar park in 2021, considered one of the largest in the region. This plant produces 3.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and covers 14 percent of the factory's energy needs.
The planned solar park at Edelburg would continue this trend and position Hemer as a pioneer in sustainable energy production. Hamburg-based Enerparc AG has already expressed interest in realizing 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 local population
Alongside its solar energy plans, GAH has been pursuing efforts to create an industrial park in Landhausen. However, this 32-hectare project is facing considerable local opposition. A citizens' initiative has already collected more than 2,200 signatures against the project and is demanding an immediate halt to the planning. Critics argue that there are already enough underutilized industrial parks and that a contiguous protected landscape area should not be destroyed.
Legal and planning law differences
Privileged treatment of solar power plants
A key difference between solar parks and industrial areas lies in their legal treatment. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems enjoy a privileged status under building law under certain circumstances. In particular, installations along highways and railway lines can be approved without complex zoning procedures. This significantly speeds up the approval process and reduces planning costs.
North Rhine-Westphalia has also expanded the area designated for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems by amending its state development plan. The state government is aiming for a massive expansion of solar energy, as currently only about five percent of installed photovoltaic capacity is in ground-mounted systems. By 2030, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems with an installed capacity of approximately 7.8 gigawatts are to be added in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Complex procedures for industrial areas
Industrial areas, on the other hand, are subject to significantly stricter planning regulations. Designating new commercial areas requires extensive zoning procedures with public participation. The hurdles are particularly high in protected landscape areas, as is the case in Landhausen. While the new regional plan for the Märkischer Kreis district designates the area as an inter-municipal commercial and industrial zone, its implementation remains challenging.
Economic and energy policy factors
Climate protection as a driver
Climate protection has become a paramount public interest, playing a central role in the consideration of planning decisions. Solar parks make a direct contribution to CO2 reduction and the energy transition. The Grohe solar park, for example, which has already been built, saves 1,173 tons of CO2 annually.
The city of Hemer adopted a comprehensive energy and climate protection concept as early as 2012, which defines the promotion of renewable energy technologies as a key measure. The inter-municipal heat planning with Iserlohn further underscores the importance of the energy transition for urban development.
Commercial space shortage versus land consumption
Hemer is suffering from an acute shortage of commercial space. Expert reports commissioned for the revision of the land-use plan have identified a significant need for additional commercial areas. The city's historically developed industrial structure, with its traditional metalworking companies and modern businesses like Grohe, requires expansion possibilities.
However, this need is countered by increasing pressure to use land sparingly. The reuse of brownfield sites is explicitly promoted in the new regional plan. Solar parks are considered a comparatively land-saving form of land use, as they are reversible and often allow for dual use.
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Public participation halts business 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 “lighthouse project” and a “motivation for others.” Mayor Christian Schweitzer sees such projects as a “sensible building block for climate-friendly urban development.”.
The planned industrial park in Landhausen, however, is facing widespread resistance. The citizens' initiative argues that it is necessary to protect the landscape, nature, and biodiversity. The discussion illustrates how societal priorities have shifted: while economic development was often viewed uncritically in the past, environmental and climate protection aspects are now paramount.
Participation and democratic legitimacy
The different participation procedures reflect the more complex requirements for industrial areas. While solar parks can often be approved through simplified procedures, industrial areas 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 independent economic factor. The Grohe solar park paid for itself after 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 lease income.
The city of Hemer benefits from a favorable geographical location with approximately 1,580 to 1,700 hours of sunshine per year. Optimally oriented systems can achieve annual yields of 910 to 1,030 kilowatt-hours per kilowatt peak. These conditions make solar parks in the region particularly economical.
Industrial Transformation
Traditional industry in Hemer is undergoing a transformation. While the historical roots of metalworking and wire drawing are still recognizable, the requirements for modern industrial sites have changed. Companies like Grohe demonstrate how established industrial enterprises can evolve into sustainable, energy-efficient production sites.
The combination of a combined heat and power plant, solar park, and water treatment plant at the Grohe site covers over 20 percent of its energy needs from its own sources. Such integrated energy concepts could serve as a model for future industrial developments.
Regional and supra-regional classification
North Rhine-Westphalia 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: Of the 215 gigawatts of photovoltaic capacity targeted nationwide by 2030, North Rhine-Westphalia is to contribute a significant share. 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 designates areas for both renewable energy and commercial development, with the energy transition taking priority.
Intermunicipal cooperation
Hemer is increasingly pursuing inter-municipal approaches to land development. Together with Iserlohn and Menden, an innovative commercial and industrial land concept is to be developed. This regional cooperation could help to reduce the pressure on available land and find more sustainable solutions.
The inter-municipal heat planning project with Iserlohn demonstrates how neighboring municipalities can coordinate their efforts in the energy transition. Such cooperative approaches could also lead to better results in the development of commercial and industrial areas.
Revitalization instead of land consumption: densification as a solution
Possible compromise solutions
The GAH and other political actors could benefit from a reassessment of priorities. Instead of focusing solely on designating new industrial areas, alternative strategies could be developed:
Infill development in existing industrial areas often offers untapped potential. Many established industrial zones have reserve areas or can be used more efficiently through modern building designs. The revitalization of brownfield sites complies with current planning principles and encounters less resistance.
Modern industrial parks can be designed as energy-plus sites. 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. The combination of 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 and installation to operation, employment opportunities are emerging that can partially compensate for the loss of traditional industrial jobs.
Municipal debate on the future: 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 paramount. Solar parks benefit from this shift through legal privileges, financial attractiveness, and social acceptance.
Industrial areas, on the other hand, must meet increased demands for environmental compatibility and public participation. This leads to more complex and time-consuming planning processes, which, however, serve democratic legitimacy.
The future may lie in integrated approaches that combine economic development and climate protection. Hemer could play a pioneering role in this, demonstrating how traditional industrial sites can be successfully transformed. The combination of renewable energies, sustainable business development, and inter-municipal cooperation offers promising prospects for future-proof urban development.
The debate surrounding solar parks versus industrial areas is ultimately part of a larger societal discussion about the future of our economy and way of life. Hemer serves as a prime example of the challenges that many German municipalities will face in the coming years.
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