Community Wind (Bürgerwind)
Community wind models enable residents and municipalities to participate financially in wind projects — improving acceptance and securing local value creation. In MV, BB and NRW this is a legal requirement. Models, structures and practice in 2026.
Mandatory Participation by Federal State
| Federal State | Mandatory since | Share / Model |
|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) | 2016 | 20 % participation offer to residents (5 km) + host municipality |
| Brandenburg (BB) | 2024 | Special levy 10,000 €/MW/a to host municipality |
| North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) | 2025 | 0.2 ct/kWh levy to host municipality |
| Schleswig-Holstein (SH) | voluntary | Community wind definition with tax advantages |
| Lower Saxony (NDS) | voluntary | Currently under discussion |
Participation Models
| Model | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Registered cooperative (eG — eingetragene Genossenschaft) | Democratic, easy membership, tax privileges | Formation effort, board liability |
| GmbH & Co. KG (limited partnership with a limited liability company as general partner) | Limited liability, tax-flexible | Higher administrative costs |
| GbR (civil-law partnership) | Quick to form | Full personal liability — rarely used |
| Direct investment via subordinated bond | No shareholder status required | Interest only, no voting rights |
| Savings certificate model (municipal bank) | Simple, local | Limited return |
Practical Example: 18 MW Park, 20 % Community Participation
- Total equity: 7.5 million € (30 % of 25 million € investment)
- Community wind share: 1.5 million € (20 % of equity)
- Minimum investment per citizen: 500 €
- Expected return on community equity: 4–6 % p.a. (fixed coupon, annual payout)
- Priority entry for residents in a special tranche
- Local marketing: info events + local bank as trustee
Tax Privileges
- Cooperative: lower corporate income tax, possible exemptions for smaller profits
- Community wind GmbH & Co. KG: typical energy tax optimisation
- Minimum requirements for community wind status (BNetzA — Federal Network Agency — definition):
- ≥ 50 % of voting rights held by natural persons from the district
- Each person max. 10 % of voting rights
- Minimum number of members (often 10+ persons)
EEG Community Wind Simplifications
Genuine community wind companies have simplified participation in EEG auctions — in the past sometimes even exemption from the auction mechanism. Currently under debate; the procedure is being revised for EU state-aid compliance.
Community wind — participation models, mandatory states and acceptance effect
Community Wind Concept for Your Park?
We connect you with a specialist community wind law firm and a local bank for cooperative formation or GmbH & Co. KG structuring.
Get in TouchFrequently Asked Questions
What are typical returns for community equity?
4–7 % p.a. fixed coupon — somewhat lower than investor equity (8–12 %), but more stable and with local connection.
What happens if not enough citizens invest?
The remaining shares are taken up by the project developer. Under MV mandatory participation, the offer must have been made — the quota counts, not whether all shares were subscribed.
How do community wind models affect the IRR?
Community equity typically receives 4–6 % fixed coupon. Remaining equity can carry higher return expectations. Overall approx. 0.5–1 percentage point IRR reduction for the sponsor.