A new wind is blowing over the climate duck: "There is such strong opposition"

Ringkøbing-Skjern Commune: New Wind Blows Over the Climate Hotspot

Ringkøbing-Skjern Commune ()

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*New Wind Blows Over the Climate Hotspot: 'There is Such Strong Opposition'*

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Wind turbines and solar panels coexist in Ringkøbing-Skjern Commune.

In 2023, the commune produced 1,470,471 MWh of green energy. (Photo: © Rie Lund, DR) 10 minutes ago

Politicians in Ringkøbing-Skjern Commune are feeling the wind in their ears, and it's not just because of their geographical location.

On their desks lies a particularly hot potato in the form of renewable energy. The commune is Denmark's climate hotspot and produces the most green energy of all Danish communes, but the residents have had enough. ()

And it's becoming increasingly apparent in the political landscape leading up to the municipal elections next year.

- This issue – especially in our commune – is an issue that could really sway votes. It's not usually simple issues that have this potential, but this one does because of the strong opposition, says Gudrun Petersen, who is the editor-in-chief of Dagbladet RingkøbingSkjern.

One of the main reasons for this is the departure of Folketing politician Mads Fuglede from the Venstre Party and his joining of the Danish People's Party.

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Full Stop

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Mads Fuglede, who himself owns a farm in the commune, believes that many of the VE projects are devastating for rural areas. Ringkøbing-Skjern Commune produces ten times as much green energy as an average commune. ()

Now, he is running for mayor with a top priority: Stop the many energy projects and put solar panels on rooftops instead.

- I think it's frustrating that it's our rural areas that have to bear the brunt of the government's very illogical policy when it comes to solar panels, he says.

Whether it will be Mads Fuglede who, after the election, can call himself mayor is uncertain, but one thing is certain: Chains will have to be hung around the neck of a new leader.

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Venstre Hesitates

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The current mayor, Hans Østergaard (V), is not running for re-election.

Venstre has held power in the commune since the 2007 municipal reform, with Hans Østergaard at the helm since 2018. He has therefore put his stamp on many of the green projects in the commune.

Hans Østergaard (V) has announced that he will not be running again. Gudrun Petersen estimates, however, that from his side, there has been a significant investment of prestige and political capital in VE projects. (Photo: © Henning Bagger, Ritzau Scanpix)

He is replaced in the Venstre administration by Lone Andersen, who celebrated her mayoral candidacy by speaking of a time-out in the green projects. After meeting with the city council, it sounds like "it's up to the voters" whether there will be fewer VE projects in the future.

But what do you dream about, being a mayoral candidate?

- I dream about finding a balance, so we can develop our commune and develop our areas, while the residents are also part of what we do, says Lone Andersen.

Is one vote on you more or less green energy in the commune?

- It's simply a balance in developing ourselves.

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