Zemplín selected as sole Slovak pilot zone for wind energy

The Slovak government has approved a strategic document regarding acceleration zones for wind energy, selecting the Zemplín region in the Michalovce district as the sole pilot area from eight originally proposed locations. This zone covers the cadastral territories of Staré, Zbudza, Nacina Ves, Petrovce nad Laborcom, Suché, and Lesné.

Critics, including the Energy Ombudsman, have questioned the transparency and objectivity of selecting Zemplín as the only suitable location. There are concerns regarding whether the state is using the region as a ‘pilot experiment’ without sufficient democratic safeguards. While the government maintains that no turbines can be built without the consent of local municipalities, advocates for local residents are calling for mandatory referendums to ensure direct citizen involvement in strategic projects that alter the character of the territory.

Government officials, including Minister of Environment Tomáš Taraba, have stated that municipalities will maintain full control over the process. However, organizations such as Via Iuris and the Climate Coalition have raised questions about whether this decision fulfills Slovakia’s obligations under its recovery plan, which requires the preparation of two pilot areas for wind farms with a potential output of at least 300 MW.