A big step has been taken towards the needs-based night-time marking of wind farms.
St. Pölten (OTS) – Yesterday the National Council unanimously changed aviation law, thereby enabling the introduction of needs-based night markings. “The wind industry is pleased about the broad support of all members of the National Council for this initiative, through which the flashing lights of wind turbines can be reduced to a minimum,” emphasizes Stefan Moidl, managing director of IG Windkraft, and hopes that the wind farms in Austria will soon be at night stay dark. Following the decision in the Federal Council, this important legal basis can come into force in April.
At the meeting of the National Council on March 21, 2024, an amendment to the Aviation Act (LFG) was unanimously approved, thereby legally enabling the needs-based labeling of wind turbines. For around 10 years, the wind industry and politicians have been working together on a regulation for so-called needs-based night marking. The aim of this is to ensure that the red flashing lights in the wind farm can remain switched off 99% of the time at night. The night marking of wind turbines is currently still necessary in order to draw the attention of flying objects traveling at night and in poor visibility to the wind turbines. The proposal for the amendment to the Aviation Act, which was passed unanimously by all members of the National Council yesterday, was submitted by the Greens and the ÖVP. The amendment creates the legal basis that wind turbines only have to activate the night markings when necessary, i.e. when an aircraft approaches. “This initiative makes it possible to reduce the light emissions from wind turbines to a minimum,” explains Moidl.
Red flashing lights can be turned off 99% of the time
Continuous flashing at night is currently still mandatory. It serves air traffic safety, especially for small aircraft that fly at a lower altitude than passenger planes. Soon, the night-time marking of wind farms will only be activated if there is actually an aircraft in the vicinity of the wind farm. Germany and the Netherlands already use similar systems. Specifically, central control by Austro Control air traffic control via an online signal is planned in Austria. The night marking should be switched off and on automatically. Now that the National Council has created the legal basis, this provision will come into force in April following the decision in the Federal Council. Before the wind farms in Austria can actually be darkened at night, further steps are necessary, such as an aviation regulation and changes to the wind farm permits.
Support and broad approval for the expansion of wind power
“Needs-based night labeling now removes a hurdle to acceptance and strengthens the broad support of the Austrian population for the expansion of wind power,” says Moidl, pleased about the upcoming possibility of needs-based labeling in Austria.
Questions & Contact:
IG Windkraft Austria
Martin Jaksch-Flying Snow
Press spokesman
Mobil: 0660/20 50 755
m.flying snow@igwindkraft.at
#National #Council #green #light #turn #red #flashing #lights
