Bad Bergzabern municipality secures wind‑energy value through land pooling

German municipalities can strengthen their negotiating position with wind‑project developers by pooling land parcels and establishing a public‑law entity. In Bad Bergzabern, Rhineland‑Palatinate, more than 80 land‑owner mandates were combined, giving the Verbandsgemeinde a unified voice.

The initiative, developed with the Energie‑ und Klimaschutzagentur Rheinland‑Pfalz, led to the creation of the Kommunale Energie Bad Bergzaberner Land AöR in 2025. Thirteen of the twenty‑one local municipalities now participate, and the AöR will coordinate future wind‑energy and photovoltaic projects, keeping a larger share of economic benefits within the region. "We want to actively shape the energy transition and ensure a fair share of value stays in our region," said Verbandsgemeinde mayor Kathrin Flory.