Turek backs down: tougher rules for Czech wind turbines may not pass

An amendment that would increase the minimum distance between wind turbines and inhabited areas from 500 to 900 metres is unlikely to be pursued further by MP Filip Turek (for the Motorists). Turek, who is also the government’s envoy for climate policy and the Green Deal, said this today on CNN Prima News. He said the European Commission had warned the government that adopting the amendment could jeopardise the Czech Republic’s commitments and complicate its access to EU funds.

The amendment to the Building Act is linked to the preparation of so-called acceleration zones, where permitting processes for wind and solar power plants are to be simplified. "I tabled it, but I probably won’t pursue it because the European Commission explicitly said: if Filip Turek’s proposal is included in the Building Act in the Czech Republic, we will block your funds," Turek said.

Turek’s proposal was discussed by the government and consulted on with European Commission representatives, with the Ministry for Regional Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade also taking part. According to Turek, the Commission said the proposed changes could make it harder to meet the renewable energy development targets that Czechia has committed to.

The proposed minimum distance of 500 metres between wind turbines and inhabited areas therefore remains in place. Turek said that including an area in an acceleration zone does not mean it will automatically be developed. The zones simply identify locations where projects can undergo further assessment and preparation.

The state must select the acceleration zones by the end of August to avoid losing EU support worth nine billion korunas. Czechia could face penalties if it fails to meet this commitment. The proposal to designate acceleration zones currently includes 94 locations.

Environment Minister Igor Červený (Motorists) said on Saturday on Nova TV’s Za pět minut dvanáct programme that the government would remove at least three locations from the list, as requested by the army. Further possible cuts could result from the review of the now-closed consultation process.

The current government has reduced the original area designated for acceleration zones from a total of 2685 square kilometres to 474 square kilometres. That is about 0.6 percent of the Czech Republic’s area. Given the EU deadlines, the legislation is to be completed by the end of August, Červený said.