Residents of three municipalities in Czechia’s Central Bohemian Region to decide on wind farm construction

Residents of three municipalities in the Central Bohemian Region will decide in referendums, held alongside October’s elections to the Chamber of Deputies, whether they want wind turbines in their area. They are Mšecké Žehrovice and Krakov in the Rakovník District, and Řisuty in the Kladno District. Plans to build wind turbines have prompted emotional reactions from local residents in several cases, the municipalities’ mayors told the Czech News Agency. Opponents of wind turbines cite concerns such as their impact on the landscape and noise. The municipalities and their residents, on the other hand, could benefit from cheaper electricity tariffs.

Voters in Mšecké Žehrovice will be asked whether they agree that the municipality should allow wind turbines to be built in its territory. Mayor Romana Metelková (independent) said the issue has resonated with residents, prompting the municipal leadership to call a referendum. “The council said we would let the people decide,” she said. She added that she herself does not oppose renewable energy sources, but understands the arguments of those who do not want wind turbines. At the same time, she said, the issue is also affecting the atmosphere in the municipality.

Residents of Krakov will answer a similar question about building wind turbines. According to Mayor Pavla Staňková (independent), a maximum of three turbines could be built there, bringing cheaper electricity to residents, including those with holiday homes. The municipality presented the plan at a public meeting, and in this case too, its leadership initiated the referendum. “The municipal councillors decided to leave it to the residents,” the mayor added.

In Řisuty, the municipality signed an agreement two years ago with a company that is expected to build a wind turbine in the municipality’s cadastral area. Mayor Jitka Ryšavá (independent) said the municipal leadership made the decision based on a survey in which most residents were in favour. A civic initiative subsequently prompted an official referendum, in which residents will ultimately answer two questions. While the municipality prepared a question asking whether residents agree with building a wind turbine, the referendum committee proposed a question asking whether they agree with the construction and operation of wind turbines. “Our zoning plan designates an area for one wind turbine,” the mayor explained, saying why there are two questions in the referendum.

A total of nine referendums will be held in the Central Bohemian Region alongside the Chamber of Deputies elections on 3 and 4 October. They concern, for example, a ban on gambling in Kladno, the expansion of a landfill in Čáslav, the reduction of the municipal heritage zone in Mšeno, and the fate of the main building at the former Tábor Barracks in Benešov.