Energiequelle GmbH and Citizens’ Energy Cooperatives receive award
Energiequelle GmbH, together with the citizens’ energy cooperatives “Saale-Holzland”, “Ilmtal” and “Jena” has been honored by the Thuringian Energy and GreenTech Agency (ThEGA). The award acknowledges the collaborative planning of the Großschwabhausen wind farm in the Weimarer Land region of Thuringia. A total of six Enercon E-160 wind turbines are planned, each with a hub height of 166.6 meters and a combined capacity of 33.36 MW. The close cooperation between Energiequelle and the participating cooperatives enables up to three of the six turbines to be transferred into citizen ownership, allowing local residents to directly benefit from the revenues generated by wind power.
Ramona Rothe, Head of the Wind Service Center at ThEGA, describes the project as a model for successful citizen involvement and regional value creation. Stefan Siegmund, Head of Project Management at Energiequelle’s Thuringian office, confirms: “The cooperation with the cooperatives is a forward-looking model that strengthens acceptance and participation.” Further projects with citizen energy stakeholders are already being planned in northern Thuringia.
Implementation in Two Construction Phases
Approval for the first construction phase, involving two turbines in the Kleinschwabhausen district, was granted in early July. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2027, with commissioning planned for May 2028. The second phase, comprising four additional turbines, is expected to receive approval in early 2026, with commissioning set for October 2028.
With the Großschwabhausen wind farm, Energiequelle is sending a clear signal for a decentralized and citizen-oriented energy transition in Thuringia.
Pictured: Matthias Golle from Ilmtal e.G., Ramona Rothe, Head of the "Wind Service Center" at ThEGA, Stefan Siegmund from Energiequelle, Sonja Gonschorek from Bürgerenergie Jena e.G., and Thomas Winkelmann from Bürgerenergie Saale-Holzland e.G.
