Czech Ministry of Environment cuts renewable acceleration zones to 61

The Czech Ministry of the Environment announced on Friday that the number of designated acceleration zones for fast‑track wind and solar projects has been reduced from 110 to 61. The ministry also introduced new construction conditions, including detailed noise and flicker studies, use of proven technologies, minimising farmland use and protecting wildlife. Despite the cut, the zones still hold a potential installed capacity of over 3,000 MW, sufficient to meet the country's EU‑linked renewable targets.

Government climate envoy Filip Turek said the change “significantly reduces the overall environmental impact” of the zones. The revised plan must be incorporated into a draft spatial development amendment for the Ministry of Regional Development, which is expected to present it to the government by the end of July. Earlier in the year the ministry had already lowered the zones from 110 to 94, a move that attracted criticism from local municipalities and the public.