Hladík: Wind power capacity in Czechia could rise to 1.5 GW by 2030

Wind power capacity in the Czech Republic could rise from the current 330 megawatts to as much as 1.5 gigawatts by 2030, requiring the installation of around 240 turbines. The total capacity of newly installed wind farms would be 1.2 gigawatts, exceeding that of two units at the Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant. Planned acceleration zones are expected to speed up the construction of wind farms and solar parks in the coming years. Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) said this today at the Obnovitelně.cz conference in Olomouc.

„Across the Czech Republic, we currently have 330 megawatts of installed wind power capacity, which is very little. The vision for 2030 is that it could reach 1.5 gigawatts, meaning another 1.2 gigawatts of wind capacity. If we installed larger wind turbines with a capacity of five megawatts, that would mean 240 turbines for the whole country. Each region would have around 20 turbines, which is something we can imagine and does not mean there would be a wind farm next to every village,“ Hladík said.

A bill to accelerate the use of renewable energy sources provides for the creation of so-called acceleration zones, where wind turbines and solar parks could be built more quickly. According to Hladík, the state could establish several acceleration zones, for example in former mining areas, while regional authorities—and possibly municipalities too—would be able to designate others. „Investors should be able to obtain a permit within a year in these zones,“ Hladík said. At the same time, areas where acceleration zones cannot be established will be identified. These include national parks and some protected areas in zones I and II.

A survey by Seepia presented today found that 40 percent of Czech residents would support the construction of wind turbines 500 metres from the nearest residential area, while 35 percent were opposed. Another 17 percent were undecided and eight percent of respondents could not answer. In the Olomouc Region, 39 percent of residents support wind farm construction and 35 percent oppose it. If construction of the turbines were accompanied by financial compensation, however, 60 percent of residents would support it.

In recent years, investors in the Olomouc Region have focused mainly on the foothills of the Nízký Jeseník range. Two wind turbines, each with a capacity of 850 kilowatts, generate electricity between the municipalities of Hraničné Petrovice and Jívová. A wind farm comprising nine towers with a total capacity of 18 megawatts rises near Lipina. An investor recently built another five turbines near Jívová, with a total capacity of ten megawatts. Branná, in the Šumperk area, is looking for a partner to build wind turbines in its territory.

In some municipalities, however, the plans face opposition. Moravský Beroun in the Olomouc area held a referendum last year on a proposed construction of 17 wind turbines. Residents voted against the turbines, but the referendum results are not binding on the town. The Olomouc Region recently approved the construction of two wind turbines near Potštát in the Přerov area. The town hall and local associations oppose their construction. The town intends to appeal.