VITAL.NRW
In January 2022, the German Wind Power Museum submitted an application for funding under the VITAL.NRW program.
VITAL.NRW is a new funding program from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for the development and promotion of rural areas. State funds are used to promote regions and support their regional development.
The name “VITAL” is derived from the program’s characteristics:
Responsible – Innovative – Energetic – Attractive – Rural.
VITAL.NRW requires a development concept. It contains the region’s development strategy, objectives, and initial project ideas. A local action group (LAG), in this case the Minden Region LAG, organizes regional development. It includes municipalities, regional clubs, associations, institutions, experts, and interested parties. In addition to measures based on specified guidelines, innovative projects can also be funded. The Düsseldorf District Government is the approval authority for funding applications.
The following key theme was developed for the German Wind Power Museum:
“Wind Power and Renewable Energies – Their Opportunities, Conflicts, and Significance in the Climate Crisis.”
The association’s application addresses the key features of the development strategy planned for the region:
Mobile People
Mobile Supply
Mobile Information
Crucial here is that the project applied for by the association adequately covers the areas of
Renewable Energies
Climate Change
Ecological Action
and E-Mobility
and thus meets the targets.
In June 2022, the government issued a positive decision, making a total of €132,999.99 available for 2022 and 2023. The owner’s share of this funding amounts to €46,550.00, which means that some of the owner’s own contributions or self-financing are required.
Specifically, the funding plan provides the following for the German Wind Power Museum:
Preparation of five wind turbines from the museum’s inventory
Safe installation and presentation
Installation of demonstration elements
Production of media content on the topic
Implementation of the first of the four points began in mid-August. The Lagerwey 10.6/20 wind turbine, built in 1982, was dismantled and prepared for transport to a restoration facility. Museum manager Arne Jaeger and two association members took on the task of dismantling the turbines.