Residents of Předenice in Czechia reject solar farm in referendum

Residents of Předenice in the Plzeň Region rejected the construction of a photovoltaic power plant (PV plant) within the municipality in a referendum. 102 voted against it and 45 in favour. Almost 75 percent of residents took part. MVE Plzeň plans to build the 1.8-megawatt (MW) plant on two hectares of privately owned land about 300 metres from the built-up area. Mayor František Přibáň (Association of Independent Candidates of the Municipality of Předenice) told the Czech News Agency (ČTK).

The investor agreed with two landowners to build the PV plant. “They only needed us to allow a cable to be laid in a municipal road, which we approved in the first phase of negotiations,” Přibáň said. The council approved the decision in June 2023, and no residents protested at the time. This year, however, a wave of opposition emerged.

More than half of residents signed a petition, prompting the municipality to call a referendum. It was held alongside parliamentary elections on 3 and 4 October. Residents were asked whether they wanted the council to take all steps aimed at preventing construction of the PV plant within the municipality. In particular, they called for the termination of agreements on future contracts that allow power lines to be laid in municipal roads.

The investor applied to the regional building authority for a construction permit some time ago. “If they issue one, we can raise objections as parties to the proceedings. But even with the referendum, we probably won’t be able to stop it,” Přibáň said. According to him, the municipality cannot prevent construction of a PV plant on private land. “The only thing we can do is refuse to sign the final easement agreement. But if they have a construction permit, they can enforce it through the courts,” he said. The best outcome for the municipality now, the mayor said, would be for the regional authority to find a reason to refuse the investor permission to build the plant.

According to an information leaflet prepared by the council and the Předenice Nature Conservation Association, the PV plant would bring no long-term benefits to the municipality or its residents, such as cheaper electricity, a steady long-term income, jobs or infrastructure development. Předenice would receive only a one-off payment of 305,000 crowns from the investor for the easement.

The municipality plans to update its zoning plan next year to restrict similar projects. “But that will be difficult to do, because the state supports renewable energy sources in every possible way through its Lex OZE laws,” the mayor said. In addition, he said, plants with a capacity of up to 2 MW will not have to be built on land specifically designated for such projects in the zoning plan.