Wind farms in Czechia: Duha blames fake news for referendum results

After referendums in which residents of Czech municipalities mostly voted against wind farms, the environmental movement Hnutí DUHA said that disinformation and a lack of political support are harming such projects. Investors often offer municipalities money and cheaper electricity, but this did not help.

According to Jiří Koželouh, head of Duha’s energy programme, the results of the weekend votes were “undoubtedly influenced” by fake news on the one hand and by the passivity of politicians, who do not explain why new energy sources are needed, on the other.

What science says about wind turbines

The movement cites scientific data: the electromagnetic field, flicker, low-frequency noise and infrasound from wind turbines do not affect human health. The harm from burning coal, air pollution and the consequences of climate change is, according to current data, far greater than any possible negative effect of wind turbines.

The environmentalists offer comparisons: per unit of energy produced, a coal power plant emits 14,000 times more particulates than are released into the air by the wear of wind turbine blades. And wind farms cause 15 times fewer bird deaths than fossil sources. The impact on birds and bats is reduced by siting turbines properly away from migration routes and roosting places, by shutting them down in sensitive periods, and by sensors that stop them automatically.

How much land would go to wind turbines

According to the authors of the statement, public debate creates the impression that Czechia is about to be covered by a huge network of wind turbines regardless of the landscape and residents. In reality, the so-called acceleration zones occupy 0.38% of the country’s territory. Designating a zone does not mean it will be fully built up or that every investment project will automatically appear there.

How to win back residents’ trust

Duha believes that not only explanations from politicians would help, but also broader citizen participation in preparing and carrying out projects. If municipalities and local residents could invest money directly and receive income, they would see wind turbines as an opportunity for the region.

Koželouh warns that with the current approach Czechia will keep lagging behind in modernising its energy sector and risks electricity shortages and uncompetitive prices. Wind turbines, he says, are cleaner than fossil fuels and, according to government plans, are needed in the energy mix of the coming years because they provide cheap electricity at night and in winter. People, he stresses, must be involved not only in discussing projects but also directly in investment, so that it brings them income.

Around Prague, based on reporting by ekolist.cz