A breath of fresh air for your forest and your income

Profit from leasing your forest land

Look forward to sustainable income and contribute to climate protection

Stable income – year after year, regardless of drought, storm or bark beetle. With BayWa r.e., you have the opportunity to lease your forest area for wind energy and generate secure income in the long term – with minimal land requirements. Whether as an addition to your forestry business or as a new mainstay, we support forest owners in utilising the full potential of their forest area and making it fit for the future.

Leasing of forest areas: why wind energy in forests makes sense

To achieve the German government’s climate targets, 2 % of Germany’s land area must be made available for wind energy. In highly populated and densely forested federal states, these goals cannot be achieved with open agricultural areas alone. This opens up the opportunity for forest owners to utilise their forest areas efficiently with wind energy and generate a secure income in the process.

By installing wind turbines on forest land, it is usually possible to keep greater distances from residential areas. This minimises noise and shadow immissions. In particular, forests used for forestry purposes and, for example, pre-damaged calamity areas are ideal locations for wind turbines. By leasing these areas, forest owners can optimally utilise the full potential of their forest area.

Advantages of leasing land for wind energy

Long-term, stable income

Lease income offers forest owners stable income over decades, regardless of weather extremes, pests, or market fluctuations in forestry.

High yields, low space requirements

Modern wind turbines efficiently capture wind above the trees without taking up much space. During the operating phase, only 0.46 hectares of space are required per turbine (BWE, Windenergie im Forst, 2021, p. 12).

Optimised infrastructure for versatile use

Where possible, existing forest roads will be used and upgraded for heavy goods traffic. This creates stable paths that can be used after installation.

Minimised impact on nature

To further protect natural habitats, technologies such as self-driving vehicles are used to transport rotor blades and other equipment around even the tightest bends.

Climate-friendly reforestation

When installing wind turbines in forests, clearing is often unavoidable, but every felled tree is compensated according to its trunk diameter. The replacement plantings can be used for the initial reforestation of previously unforested sites or for climate-resistant forest conversion.

Protection of biodiversity

Biodiversity is promoted through targeted compensation and replacement measures. New habitats are created, such as nesting boxes for birds and bats or biotopes that provide shelter for reptiles.

Langenbrander Höhe wind farm: a project that benefits everyone

Projects such as the Langenbrander Höhe wind farm in the northern Black Forest demonstrate how forests and wind energy can work in harmony. With four powerful wind turbines that generate enough electricity to power 14,500 two-person households every year, this project serves as a successful model for sustainable energy generation in forestry.

Project highlights:

BayWa r.e. – your partner for land leasing

With our years of experience and technical expertise, we are the perfect partner for forest owners who want to contribute to the energy transition and diversify their income. Our experienced project team combines expertise in areas such as project development, nature conservation, construction, participation rights and communication. Together, we will develop customised solutions and shape a sustainable future for your forest and the energy supply of tomorrow.