Dispatch from Saerbeck
- Christina Lundgren
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
January 17, 2025
The community of Saerbeck, located in Northern Münsterland, has become a global model for renewable energy and sustainable community development. With just 7,200 residents, Saerbeck demonstrates how local action, innovative thinking, and collective effort can drive substantial progress in combating climate change. At the heart of this transformation is the community’s Bioenergy Park – a hub for renewable energy production, economic development, and environmental education. It is also the engine for a steadily deepening sense of belonging among the village’s residents.
A grassroots approach to climate action
Saerbeck’s energy transformation is built on a simple yet powerful principle: change begins at the local level. As Mayor Dr. Tobias Lehberg emphasizes:
“We shouldn’t wait for decisions on a higher political level. We need to tackle it locally, where people live their lives.”
This proactive mindset has led to impressive results. Martin Sammler, manager of Saerbeck’s climate action department, shared “Since 2013, Saerbeck has produced more renewable electricity than it consumes – currently exceeding 400% of its energy needs.” Visit Saerbeck’s live energy monitor to see in real time how much energy they are producing, almost always more than what is required in the community. The village is working toward climate neutrality by 2030, focusing on innovations in heat transition, climate adaptation, and sustainable transportation.
The Bioenergy Park: a model for innovation
Built on the site of a Cold War era ammunition depot, the Bioenergy Park exemplifies Saerbeck’s commitment to repurposing resources for a sustainable future. The 90-hectare park includes:
38,000 m² of photovoltaic panels spread across 63 bunkers.
Seven wind turbines, each capable of powering 2,000 German households.
A biogas plant (anaerobic digester) that converts cow manure and biomass to electricity, heat and renewable natural gas that is being fed into the local natural gas grid, which helps decarbonize heating.
A composting facility for organic waste from the county’s over 450,000 people that converts the waste into energy and produces fertilizer as a byproduct.
This diverse energy mix supports Saerbeck’s goal to double its energy production in the next few years, while maintaining local ownership and control. The community of farmers and other individuals, has invested €70,000,000 into the park, resulting in economic returns that benefit residents directly. The city’s leaders purposely restricted the opportunity to invest in the local energy transformation to local residents only.
Education and citizen engagement
Saerbeck’s success is rooted in its focus on education and broad community participation. Programs at the Bioenergy Park teach students and adults about renewable energy, climate science, and sustainability. Hands on experiences, such as site visits and workshops, help demystify energy systems and inspire action.
Teachers like Manuel Schroeder believe in the emotional power of education, stating, “You protect what you know. If you don’t know nature, you don’t protect it.” This principle is reflected in the Energy Park’s engagement, with over 130,000 visitors and counting!
The Bioenergy Park also engages and works with FH Münster University of Applied Sciences. Experts like Prof. Dr.-Ing. Elmar Bruegging and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christof Wetter conduct cutting edge research with students on sustainable energy systems and growing circular economies.
Real life examples: sustainability in action
Saerbeck residents exemplify how renewable energy can transform daily life, and their stories reflect the community centered approach that drives the town’s success. Riley Hetland, an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, shared her impressions:
“It truly warmed my heart to know that the community was not just an obstacle in Saerbeck, but an integral part of the success of the project.”
Riley recounted a story shared by Dr. Christof Wetter about a resident concerned that sunlight reflecting off a wind turbine would create a “disco ball” effect in his home. The planners’ approached this with a simple and empathetic solution: they provided the man with a remote control to temporarily shut off the turbine for 15 minutes whenever the issue arose. He has yet to use it.
“This showed me the commitment to the community of Saerbeck and proved that the planners were truly invested in serving the community,” Riley explained.
These stories underscore the thoughtful, people first approach that defines Saerbeck’s energy transformation.
Saerbeck residents are living proof that renewable energy can improve daily life. Another example includes the Riese family. Their climate smart home features:
A rooftop solar PV system and wood pellet heating for relatively affordable, renewable energy.
A balcony mounted solar panel system costs €350 and pays for itself in four years.
An electric vehicle, powered by rooftop solar.
When asked what brings him the most joy about this, Alfred Riese smiled and shared “the power storage – with great display and statistics, and also the acceleration of the EV!”
Whether it’s addressing individual concerns or enabling families to embrace renewable energy, Saerbeck proves that sustainability thrives when community needs are at the heart of innovation.
A sustainable youth education center
Our group also toured Saerbeck’s newly constructed, sustainably built Youth Education Center. Managing Director Johannes Dierker shared about the center’s diverse functions, which include environmental education, religious training, and addiction prevention programs.
Sustainability was prioritized in the center’s construction: certified sustainable wood was used extensively, materials were reused wherever possible, and renewable energy generation was integrated into the design. A highlight of the presentation was learning about a new policy on neighbor to neighbor energy selling, which allows residents to sell and buy power directly from one another, negotiating rates locally.
Beth Mercer-Taylor, Co-director of Sustainability Education at the University of Minnesota, noted the importance of this new policy; it also promotes resilience because it allows energy islanding and uninterrupted supply in case the electric grid were to go down.
With approximately 14,000 overnight stays annually, 40% of guests participate in the center’s seminars. The Youth Education Center also serves as a venue for groups hosting their own seminars, leisure activities, or holiday programs, further enhancing its role as a hub for learning and community engagement.
Workshop: envisioning and organizing change
During our visit, students participated in a workshop on how to “Envision and Organize Change.” This session empowered the delegation to apply Saerbeck’s community engagement strategies to cities in Minnesota. The panel of local energy transition experts loved the strategies the six student teams proposed for Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, Falcon Heights, and Morris.
An inspiration for the world
Through its commitment to local action and citizen involvement, Saerbeck inspires communities worldwide. Its story is a testament to what’s possible when people come together with a shared vision for a sustainable future.
