Designation of wind energy and acceleration zones in planning

The system for spatial planning and the authorisation of onshore wind turbines is undergoing significant change. In 2022, the Onshore Wind Energy Act fundamentally changed the planning framework to a system based solely on positive planning. Since August 2025, under the ‚Act Implementing RED III for Onshore Wind Energy‘, there has been an additional obligation to designate wind energy areas as ‘acceleration zones’ when designating such areas, provided they do not lie within exclusion zones.

Regional planning authorities and local authorities responsible for planning must bear in mind a number of new regulations when designating wind energy zones, which raise various issues.

This two-day online training event addresses current topics and issues arising in connection with the designation and mapping of wind energy areas and acceleration zones. It will examine both regional planning and land-use planning, as well as the relationship between these two levels.

The event is primarily aimed at planning authorities involved in the designation of wind energy zones.