Strmilov residents in Czechia to vote on wind farms in referendum

Residents of Strmilov in the Jindřichův Hradec area will decide in a referendum whether to build wind turbines. The municipal council approved the referendum at its meeting yesterday. It will be held on 17 November. Jihlava-based company Jipocar Power plans to build up to five wind turbines more than 200 metres tall near the town. Residents are concerned about noise, falling property prices and damage to the landscape.

“The referendum will provide a clear direction. We will all feel relieved now, because we are moving towards a decision, one way or another, and it will be binding. Before the referendum, we will hold another public meeting, probably in late October or early November, with councillors, the petition committee and residents. We will invite experts so that we can get a comprehensive view,” said Mayor Martin Novák (SNK – Strmilov Residents).

In the referendum, residents will be asked whether they agree with the construction of wind turbines within the administrative boundaries of the town of Strmilov. It will take place on 17 November from 8:00 to 17:00. Of the 14 councillors present, 13 voted in favour and one abstained, so the proposal was adopted.

The councillors voted on the referendum following a petition against the construction of wind turbines. As of today, it has 1,181 signatures, including 429 from Strmilov residents. The petition will close on 15 September. After the signatures have been checked, the petition committee will announce the final number on 30 September, said Šárka Nejedlíková on its behalf, adding that the committee was pleased to have secured the referendum.

Strmilov councillors have already approved the construction of three wind turbines in the area towards Česká Olešná, where meridian Nová Energie wants to build them. Strmilov has already signed an agreement with the company, which is still assessing the project’s impact on the landscape. The referendum result will also apply to these wind turbines.

Residents sent the councillors a letter asking Strmilov to terminate the agreement. The councillors took note of the letter but did not vote on the matter. Residents criticised the councillors for not holding a referendum from the outset. According to the mayor, the meridian Nová Energie project had been discussed for a year and a half, and there had been a public presentation; during that time, they had not recorded any opposition to the construction. Residents then criticised the municipal leadership for providing no information about these projects on the town’s website. They also called for agenda items at council meetings to be presented more clearly.