Višňová residents halt ČEZ plan for two wind turbines

Residents of Višňová in the Příbram area rejected the potential construction of one or more wind turbines in the municipality in a referendum held on Friday. A total of 172 of the 272 voters who were issued ballot papers voted against the proposal. By contrast, 90 people supported it, while some votes were invalid. The referendum is valid and binding, according to information published on the municipality’s website.

ČEZ Obnovitelné zdroje had planned to build two wind turbines in the municipality. Residents were asked whether they agreed with the construction of a maximum of two turbines in the municipality, provided they were built on the border with the Stěžov cadastral area, at least 4.5 kilometres from the Višňová municipal office building, and generated a regular annual payment to the municipality for each turbine.

According to the rationale presented at a council meeting, the construction of wind turbines would have long-term impacts on Višňová’s potential development, the environment and the character of the landscape, while also potentially providing a financial benefit to the municipality. For this reason, it was important for the council to know the views of the majority of residents.

This is far from the first referendum on wind turbines in the Central Bohemian Region. An identical vote was held two weeks ago in Těchařovice in the Příbram area, where most voters rejected the proposal. However, the plebiscite was invalid due to low turnout.

Referendums on wind turbines also ended in rejection this year in Třebíz in the Kladno area and in Milín, Pečice, Starosedlský Hrádek and Vrančice in the Příbram area. Last year, votes were held in Mšecké Žehrovice and Krakov in the Rakovník area and in Řisuty in the Kladno area. In Krakov, residents approved the construction, while the other two municipalities rejected it.

Opponents of wind turbines cite concerns such as their impact on the appearance of the landscape and noise. Municipalities and their residents, on the other hand, can obtain a cheaper electricity tariff thanks to the turbines. So far, the Central Bohemian Region has only one wind power plant, near Pchery in the Kladno area. It comprises two turbines with a combined capacity of six megawatts and has been in operation since 2008.