Berlin – When the Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas opened a plant in Lauchhammer, southern Brandenburg, in 2002, the whole region had great hopes. The GDR briquette factory did not survive the fall of the Wall. In return, new industry came to Lusatia, which even had the potential to save some villages in the area from the lignite excavators. It was Jürgen Trittin who, as the Green Federal Environment Minister, rammed a spade into the ground as a starting signal. It is once again showing that climate protection also benefits the economy, he said at the time.
And high-tech products were actually made there. Rotor blades made of carbon, which today turn wind into electricity from Australia to Canada. Around 20,000 “grand pianos” have been manufactured in Lauchhammer since the factory opened in 2002. The 20th anniversary would have been celebrated next year. But it won’t come to that. Because the plant should be closed by the end of this year at the latest.
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