Vojtěchov in Czechia bets on wind turbines: 32 years of revenue, new water reservoir and cheaper electricity

Vojtěchov in the Chrudim district is preparing to build five wind turbines. Over 32 years of operation, the project is expected to bring at least Kč127 million to the municipal budget. Residents want to use the funds primarily to finance the construction of a second water reservoir. Residents decided on the benefits in a vote, NOHO Energy, the company preparing the investment, said in a press release today.

When the wind turbines come online, the municipality will receive a one-off payment of Kč15 million. It is then guaranteed at least Kč3.5 million annually for 32 years. Total guaranteed revenue will therefore exceed Kč127 million.

If generation is higher in some years than assumed in the baseline calculation, the municipality will also receive a share of revenues above the guaranteed minimum. "I see continuing the established vision for the development of our municipality and bringing the planned projects to completion as a huge commitment. We have always sought to listen to people and find ways to accommodate them and genuinely help the municipality. I am very pleased that we can continue with this and that, as a municipality, we are pulling together," said Mayor Josef Havel (KDU-ČSL).

Vojtěchov residents also voted on what the municipality should use the project's money for. The construction of a second municipal water reservoir, with estimated costs of around Kč10 million, received the most support. "We are slowly struggling with water every summer. We are glad that we have managed so far, but we do feel the shortage of water in the current reservoir. So a larger reserve will certainly be better, and that is how people see it too," Havel said.

Other supported projects include the refurbishment of the pub in the cultural centre, costing around Kč3 million, and the reconstruction of the sports field and its facilities, with estimated costs of around Kč4 million. Residents also proposed improving the stream, better water retention in the surrounding landscape, or building a new pavement through the whole of Vojtěchov.

In addition to revenues for the municipality, residents had the opportunity to decide which direct benefit they would like to receive from the project. The option of guaranteed cheaper electricity won the poll. Residents are to have the option of purchasing electricity at a guaranteed price of Kč0.90/kWh excluding VAT, up to annual consumption of 8000 kWh. This threshold also covers the consumption of households using a heat pump. According to the producer's calculation, household savings could reach Kč5000 to Kč24.000 per year.

Preparations for the wind farm began in cooperation with the municipality in autumn 2023. In a poll, 95 percent of voting residents supported the project. In September, the project received permission to build a 35 kV grid connection. The investor expects a building permit in autumn. Construction is planned to begin in 2027. The wind farm will comprise five turbines, each with a maximum installed capacity of up to seven MW. The turbines will be approximately 199.5 to 249.5 metres high. The entire wind farm is expected to generate annually an amount of electricity equivalent to the consumption of more than 30.000 Czech households.