Czech acceleration zones in the Zlín Region face municipal opposition, region seeks changes

The Zlín Region is commenting on the proposal for acceleration areas for the construction of wind and solar power plants. The region will send its submissions to the Ministry for Regional Development on Thursday and demands that they be reflected in the proposal, regional authority spokeswoman Soňa Ličková told ČTK today. The changes concern the Býškovice, Kunovice, Kelč and Lukoveček areas. In its comments, the region cites insufficient consideration of important transport and technical corridors that form part of the region's spatial development principles, the spokeswoman said.

The government-proposed zones, intended to speed up the construction of wind and solar power plants in Czechia, are facing opposition from local authorities in the Zlín Region. Regional Governor Radim Holiš (ANO) said at last week's regional assembly meeting that the region would respect municipalities' views on the proposed acceleration areas.

"As the Zlín Regional Council, we are responding to the comments of municipalities that have expressed their views on the ministry's proposal. We respect their positions and will not interfere in their decisions from the regional level. We will send all comments to the ministry tomorrow (Thursday)," Holiš said.

The regions can submit comments on the proposal until 15 May.

In its comments, the region cites insufficient consideration of important transport and technical corridors that form part of the region's spatial development principles. "These include, for example, planned road projects or gas pipeline corridors," the governor said. In the case of the Lukoveček area, the region also points to possible negative impacts on the landscape and the environment. The proposed site is close to the Hostýn Hills nature park and extends onto high-quality agricultural land. "The construction of wind turbines could disrupt the character of the landscape in this area," the governor said.

In line with a resolution of the regional assembly, regional councillors supported the positions of nearly three dozen towns and municipalities that disagree with the proposed delineation of the acceleration areas. "Municipalities and citizens can submit their comments to the Ministry for Regional Development until 1 June 2026. The Zlín Region will forward to the Ministry for Regional Development, which is responsible for assessing and resolving them, all statements from municipalities, associations and citizens on the planned acceleration areas that it has received or receives by the end of May, no later than 1 June 2026," the spokeswoman said.

The state envisages the possible establishment of five acceleration areas for generating electricity from wind energy in the Zlín Region. Six zones are intended to facilitate the construction of solar power plants in the region.