Court overturns permit for wind farm in France. Turbines could disrupt the landscape too much

Construction of large wind farms with turbines whose blades can reach heights of hundreds of metres often faces opposition. Another example could be a wind farm project in France with a planned installed capacity of more than 200 MW. A French appeals court revoked the project’s permit following complaints from local residents about the park’s impact on the local landscape. Similar concerns also often lead to negative public attitudes in other densely populated European countries.

The Mont des Quatre Faux wind farm project is one of many projects in Europe facing public opposition. EDF Renewables and Renner Energies are developing the 63-turbine wind farm in France, with a total installed capacity of 226 MW. According to Renewables Now, the companies secured support for the project in a 2021 auction. The cost of building the wind farm is estimated at 250 million euros.

The project received a construction permit in the summer of 2017, but local residents challenged the decision. Their complaint was unsuccessful, however, as the court in Châlons-en-Champagne ruled out the possibility that the 200-metre structures would be highly visible. The court also ruled out the possibility that none of the proposed measures would be sufficient to mitigate the negative impact on the landscape.

The appeals court in Nancy does not share this view. It said the construction would be located on “a vast plateau made up of sparsely wooded farmland, with wide views and few visual obstructions”. It therefore revoked the project’s permit.

Projects face opposition from local communities in countries beyond France, too; the situation is similar elsewhere in Europe. Examples include protests in Germany and negative public responses in referendums held in Czechia.