Czech Havlíčkův Brod opposes wind farm construction near Květnov

Havlíčkův Brod opposes the construction of wind turbines near the settlement of Květnov, which falls under the city’s jurisdiction. The town hall received three proposals to build turbines more than 200 metres tall. At Monday’s meeting, city councillors voted against the development, mainly due to its impact on the character of the landscape. Deputy mayor Libor Honzárek (TOP 09) told journalists today.

“It has long been a subject of debate here, with both opponents and supporters,” the deputy mayor said about the plans to build wind turbines.

According to him, public opinion is divided into two similarly sized groups.

According to the town hall, the proposals were submitted by Future Flow, Jipocar Power and ČEZ. Květnov residents supported the construction of a wind turbine because of the benefits offered. However, it would also affect the views of people in the nearby villages of Okrouhlička, Svatý Kříž and Suchá, who would receive no benefits, the city said.

Wind turbines up to 250 metres tall would be visible from afar. “I always give the example that the Havlíčkův Brod church tower is 51 metres high,” Honzárek said. On the other hand, he said it was necessary to find locations where turbines could be built, as alternative electricity sources would be needed. “I just think it should have some logical system, including from a spatial planning perspective,” he said. He noted that Czechia is discussing the designation of acceleration zones. Approval of such projects should be easier within them.

There are seven wind turbines in the Vysočina region, with the latest two built in 2009 near the village of Věžnice in the Havlíčkův Brod area. Another turbine is located near the village of Kámen in the same district. Given the current support for renewable energy sources, investors are negotiating wind turbine projects in several locations. Some municipalities have already signed agreements on future cooperation with them, while people elsewhere have rejected the turbines.

Local referendums on wind turbines were held in six Vysočina municipalities alongside this year’s parliamentary elections. Their construction was supported by residents of Stonařov and Věžnička in the Jihlava area and Menhartice in the Třebíč area. A majority of votes opposed the turbines in Polná in the Jihlava area, Černovice in the Pelhřimov area and Nové Dvory in the Žďár area.