Residents of Skuhrov in Czechia reject wind farm construction

Residents of Skuhrov, a local district of Česká Třebová in the Ústí nad Orlicí area, do not want a wind turbine built there. They decided this in a poll today, with the results published on the city’s website. A private investor wants to build the turbine.

A total of 169 people were eligible to vote. Of the 106 who cast a ballot, 97 opposed the turbine’s construction and nine supported it. „We stated in advance that, at least as the city council, we would respect the decision of Skuhrov residents. The matter will go before the city council after the new year,“ Mayor Zdeněk Řehák (3PK) told the Czech News Agency.

A private investor wants to build two wind turbines in the region. Both are planned by PV Consulting. The company wants to build one between Horní Houžovec and Skuhrov, in the cadastral area of Ústí nad Orlicí, and the other near Skuhrov. „Both turbines are closest to Skuhrov. One is about 1,500 metres away and the other 1,000 metres. For local people, this means more difficult living conditions in the area,“ the mayor said.

In November, residents of the local districts of Ústí nad Orlicí—Horní Houžovec, Dolní Houžovec and Knapovec—had already voted. Around 390 people were eligible to vote, and 41 percent turned out. The majority supported building a wind turbine. The city administration is waiting for Česká Třebová to make its decision, while the Ústí nad Orlicí city council will consider the wind turbine project in January.

The company is also promising bonuses for residents and the city. Residents of the local districts of Ústí nad Orlicí and Česká Třebová are to receive cheaper commodity electricity, amounting to an annual discount of 10,000 crowns. The city is to receive 750,000 crowns a year for 15 years. „It has been stated so far that a significant part, if not all, of the amount would go to Skuhrov,“ the mayor said.