The municipal utility company is making use of a new provision in the Renewable Energy Sources Act (Section 6 EEG), which now also applies to existing installations. All local authorities situated within a 2.5 km radius of the installation are entitled to benefit from the electricity fed into the grid.
It is precisely this provision that SWK is now applying for the benefit of the local authorities. As early as 2024, the municipal utility company will pay out around 10,000 euros. In proportion to their share of the affected area, the municipalities of Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Gonbach, Mehlingen, Münchweiler an der Alzenz, Neuhemsbach, Sembach and Wartenberg-Rohrbach can look forward to more money in their budgets.
Dr Arvid Blume, CEO of SWK Stadtwerke Kaiserslautern, explains: “Our aim and our responsibility – not least with regard to the quality of life of future generations – is to drive forward the energy transition. By involving the affected municipalities, we are strengthening acceptance of the urgently needed expansion of renewable energy. The revenue the municipalities generate from wind power ultimately benefits all residents as well. In this way, we are collectively giving a face to the regional energy transition. As a municipal utility with deep roots in the region, we are consistently pursuing such projects. With our expertise within the SWK Group, we stand as a strong energy partner for the Palatinate.”
On 20 November 2024, the municipal utility signed the contracts together with all the local councillors. Alongside the SWK representatives, the mayors present were Jürgen Wenzel (Enkenbach-Alsenborn), Bernd Schiebel (Gonbach), Kistina Zick (Mehlingen), Tanja Dautermann (Münchweiler an der Alzenz), Silke Brunck (Neuhemsbach), Peter Beutler (Sembach) and Axel Erbach (Wartenberg-Rohrbach) were invited to the signing ceremony.