Individual municipalities in the Svitavy region are already signing contracts for the construction of wind turbines on their territory, according to available information. This is happening despite regional political representatives having previously sought to negotiate the terms of construction jointly. Some municipalities, however, have already run out of patience and embarked on projects independently.
Municipalities such as Dětřichov, Sklené and Opatovec have already signed contracts with ČEZ confirming plans to build wind turbines in their cadastral areas. The debate over building wind turbines has been under way for more than a year and a half. The municipalities decided to consider the offers individually, even though Svitavy Mayor David Šimka had originally planned to negotiate with the investor on behalf of the entire microregion.
According to Mayor Šimka, the microregion should adopt a “one for all and all for one” approach. For that reason, the municipalities commissioned Palacký University Olomouc to conduct a professional sociological survey to gauge local residents’ social acceptance of plans to build 200-metre towers with blades. The survey found that almost 60 percent of respondents consider the project beneficial for the municipality, provided it brings adequate economic benefits.
Enercon E138 and Enercon E138 and Enercon E160 turbines, with a rated capacity of 4 to 5 MW, are expected to be built along the windward side of the Hřebečov ridge, which runs alongside the I/43 road. Construction is planned in a total of ten municipalities. It is an exceptionally attractive location for wind power in the Pardubice Region, as other sites are ruled out due to airspace protection.
Locations for wind farm construction in the Svitavy regionAfter ČEZ made its initial offer, however, other potential investors began approaching the municipalities, also seeking to tap the area’s wind potential. For example, the municipality of Opatov is working with 8m group, a.s.
As the number of offers grew, the mayors of individual municipalities gradually began signing contracts separately. This means that some municipalities secured better terms than others and also put pressure on neighbouring municipalities that would not otherwise have supported construction. It also removes the possibility of negotiating the best possible terms for the municipalities jointly.
“There could be three wind turbines in our cadastral area. We don’t want to watch towers go up in Dětřichov for a year and a half or two years while the councilors in Svitavy try to agree on something, when we could be receiving money at the same time as Dětřichov,” said the mayor of Opatovec.
Promised benefits for the municipalities affected include, for example, an annual 5% share of profits, as well as discounted electricity supplies for households that buy their electricity from ČEZ. Some politicians, particularly in Svitavy, believe, however, that the financial compensation offered is inadequate.
Translation disclaimer
This article is a machine translation of the Czech original and has not yet been fully reviewed. In case of any doubt, please refer to the Czech version.
