Hiddenhausen Currents: Focus on Climate, Budget, and Mobility

Sustainability and Climate Protection in the Forefront

Photovoltaic System at the Schweicheln Wastewater Treatment Plant Approved

During the public meeting of the Operations Committee on March 9, 2026, it was unanimously decided to construct a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 52 kWp on the roof of the Schweicheln wastewater treatment plant. The investment costs amount to 70,000 euros without a storage system, 79,000 euros with a small storage system (13.8 kWh), and 110,000 euros with a large storage system (150–200 kWh).

The system will generate approximately 44,000 kWh of electricity annually, with 72% used directly in operations. With a small storage system, the self-sufficiency rate increases to 80%, and annual electricity cost savings rise to 10,000 euros. A large storage system reduces the payback period to about 7.3 years and lowers CO₂ emissions to 13.1 tons per year.

This investment is a milestone in municipal climate protection and demonstrates how Hiddenhausen actively contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Climate Protection Projects and Mobility Initiatives

The Committee for Community Development and the Environment set several projects for 2026 in March 2026. These include:

• The barrier-free renovation of bus stops, funded by grants.
• The Citizen's Bike Path along Bündner Straße, newly applied for.
• The consolidation of bus routes E3 and E4 into the new route bundle R4.
• Climate protection activities such as STADTRADELN (May 16–June 5, 2026) and the "Day of Mobility" (May 31, 2026), as well as the European Mobility Week with the theme "Mobility by and for Children."

These initiatives show how Hiddenhausen is advancing the transition to a sustainable, barrier-free, and climate-friendly mobility system.

2026 Budget and Administrative Structure

2026 Budget Ordinance and Authorization Transfers

The Council of the Town of Hiddenhausen approved the 2026 budget ordinance on February 26, 2026, and referred it to the Main and Finance Committee. The ordinance is based on the legal provisions of the North Rhine-Westphalia Municipal Code (GO NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Local Government Finance Ordinance (KomHVO NRW).

Additionally, authorizations from 2025 were transferred to 2026, as required by law to ensure planning security for investments and administrative actions. Examples include disbursements for the fire protection demand plan (22,600 €), teacher training (1,000 €), and tree pruning in railway traffic (3,000 €).

Municipal Participation Structure

The Participation Report 2023 was approved and transparently outlines how Hiddenhausen is involved in companies such as Westfalen Weser Energie GmbH & Co. KG and Nahwärmeversorgung Hiddenhausen GmbH. The municipal enterprises Hiddenhausen have a share capital of 12.4 million euros, entirely owned by the municipality.

Road Construction and Maintenance

Investments in Infrastructure

In March 2026, several road construction measures for 2026 were decided, including:

• Pavement renewals with an estimated volume of 280,000 euros.
• Thin-layer surfacing (DSK) and crack repair work with 160,000 euros.
• Mowing work on slopes and paths with 100,000 euros.

All projects are funded from maintenance reserves. Additionally, an application for a progress report on the expansion of the Schweichelner Straße was submitted and is currently being processed.

Interconnections and Developments

A central theme in Hiddenhausen is the interlinking of climate protection, mobility, and infrastructure. The approved photovoltaic system is not only a local project but also part of a national strategy to achieve climate goals. At the same time, it shows how the town improves the quality of life for all citizens by investing in barrier-free transport facilities and bike paths.

In addition, financial planning is crucial to ensure long-term investments in climate protection and infrastructure. The 2026 budget ordinance is a key milestone that provides security for the administration and the citizens.

Conclusion and Outlook

March 2026 was marked in Hiddenhausen by concrete decisions in the areas of energy, finances, mobility, and infrastructure. The town has demonstrated that it not only looks to the future but also actively works to shape it. In the coming months, the implementation of the approved projects will be in the foreground, particularly the realization of the photovoltaic system and the barrier-free renovation of bus stops. The expansion of the Schweichelner Straße and mobility initiatives such as STADTRADELN and the Mobility Week will provide further momentum.