The Bundeswehr (German Army) has blocked wind energy projects in the country's northern coastal areas, thus stopping EUR 1.5 billion of investments, due to fears the wind turbines could pose a security threat to the country's northern defences.

According the to the German Army, arrays of wind turbines could possibly interfere with radar detection of airborne and naval threats coming from the sea. Even though this may be true in theory, German environmentalists and renewable energy bodies dismissed the army's objections, stating the military should work on radar detection modernization, instead of blocking renewable energy projects.

Currently, Germany is a leading producer of wind energy in the world, with over 8% of the country's electricity being generated by wind power. Wind farms have seen unprecedented growth in the country over the last decade, due to favorable renewable energy legislation.

The German army seems to between a rock and a hard place, with a possible security issue concerning wind turbines and the radar system, and pressure in the direction of further development of renewable energy. Ultimately, they want to be sure to be able to detect oncoming aircraft, both domestic and foreign, frind or foe. A modernization may be what's needed after all, as it's unlikely all wind energy development near the norther coastal area of the country is to be stopped indefinitely.

[via: Reuters]