First wind turbine near Hořany in the Nymburk region of Czechia could be built within months

Construction of the first of three turbines in a planned wind farm near the village of Hořany in the Nymburk region could begin within months. A private investor is now preparing to establish a joint venture with the municipality, where the wind turbines are to be built. Hořany councillors are expected to approve the municipality’s entry into the newly established company in the coming weeks, Mayor Anděla Frumarová (independent) told the Czech News Agency.

„We have a working council meeting coming up, where a lawyer will explain everything to the councillors, followed by an official council meeting. The municipality should have a ten-percent share of the newly established company’s operating revenue,“ Frumarová said.

TCN energie will hold the majority stake in the company. „The municipality is not contributing any assets or using them as collateral, and it will not bear any investment costs,“ Stanislav Brunclík said on behalf of the company.

Preparations to build the wind farm have been delayed, for example, by the environmental impact assessment; several bat species live in the area, he said. „The assessment of the impact on the landscape and the assessment of the impact on nature are being completed. We do not expect any complications there, and we would like to submit the application for a building permit within two months,“ Brunclík added. The investment amount is still under discussion, he said.

The municipality, with around 170 residents, could receive about CZK 3.5 million a year in revenue from the wind farm. „Our estimate is based on mathematical models and data from the manufacturer of the specific turbine,“ Brunclík said. The estimate is conservative, he said; wind measurements from recent months indicate that output could be higher than expected. According to Brunclík, a corridor with stronger winds runs through the Polabí region. „And if you use technology designed for low and moderate winds, output is guaranteed,“ he added. The first turbine is intended to test the project’s viability, with construction of two more to follow.

The turbine is to be built about one kilometre from the village, near a pond on slightly elevated ground. Its tower is to be 231 metres high at its highest point, with a capacity of 6.25 megawatts (MW). Residents were able to express their views on the wind farm proposal in a poll two years ago, with two-thirds in favour. The municipality plans to use the operating revenue, for example, to repair pavements and roads or improve sports facilities.