The Czech state has released its first concrete map identifying potential locations for the expansion of wind power plants. The Ministry for Regional Development has unveiled a map of “acceleration zones,” designated areas where the permitting process for wind energy projects is intended to be faster and more streamlined.
Strategic Mapping and Local Restrictions
According to Minister for Regional Development Zuzana Mrázová (ANO), the government is defining areas where construction is “least problematic.” The map is not a final construction plan but rather a sketch of where the state envisions potential for development.
The selection process is heavily influenced by wind conditions, with a focus on the north, higher altitudes, and specific parts of Moravia. The wind data is provided by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Academy of Sciences.
These zones do not form continuous blocks. Instead, they appear as a scattered map of smaller territories because the state must account for restrictions such as the proximity of residential areas and nature protection.
Significant Reduction in Scale
The current proposal is a scaled-back version of a plan initiated by the previous government. Under pressure from municipalities and certain political representatives, the current cabinet significantly narrowed the scope of the zones.
Filip Turek (Motoristé sobě), the government envoy for climate policy and the Green Deal, noted that the total area of acceleration zones dropped from 2,685 square kilometers to 474 square kilometers. This represents approximately 0.6% of the Czech Republic’s total area.
The Drivers: EU Mandates and Energy Security
The creation of these zones is required by the European directive RED III. Czechia has lagged in implementing this directive and has already received a formal notice to remedy the situation. Failure to comply could potentially lead to the loss of billions of crowns from the National Recovery Plan.
Beyond legal obligations, the zones aim to strengthen energy self-sufficiency. Currently, Czechia is among the EU countries that produce the least electricity from wind.
Data from the WindEurope association indicates that Czechia is one of the slowest European nations in developing wind energy. While Europe added over 19 gigawatts of new wind capacity last year, Czechia’s contribution was minimal.
At present, there are over 200 operational wind plants in the country with a total capacity of roughly 372 megawatts, accounting for about one percent of total electricity production. The acceleration zones may help stimulate this growth. A law regarding these zones was approved by both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly are acceleration zones?
They are specific areas identified by the state where the permitting process for wind power plants is designed to be simpler and faster, although they do not constitute a final construction plan.
Why was the size of the zones reduced so significantly?
The area was reduced from 2,685 km² to 474 km² in response to feedback from municipalities and an effort to better protect the landscape.
What happens if the Czech Republic fails to implement these zones?
Because the zones are required by the EU RED III directive, failure to implement them could result in the country losing billions of crowns from the National Recovery Plan.
Do you believe the reduction of these zones to 0.6% of the country’s area is a fair compromise between energy needs and landscape protection?
