The wind power referendums in the 2026 municipal elections are a set of 19 local votes held at the same time as the elections to municipal councils on 9 and 10 October 2026 [1]. The referendums decide on the construction of up to 81 new wind turbines with a total output of 450 megawatts, which, according to an analysis by the Svaz moderní energetiky, would more than double the existing wind capacity in Czechia and generate electricity for about 400,000 households [1]. Roughly 220 wind turbines with an output of 380 megawatts are currently in operation in the country [1].

Where voting takes place

Most referendums are held in the Central Bohemian Region, namely in Petrovice in the Rakovník District, Kačice in the Kladno District, and Petroupim, Soběhrdy and Teplýšovice in the Benešov District [1]. Four votes take place in the Svitavy District in the Pardubice Region, in the municipalities of Dětřichov, Kamenná Horka, Mikuleč and Sklené [1]. In the Bruntál District in the Moravian-Silesian Region, residents of Horní Benešov, Staré Heřminovy and Zátor vote. In the Plzeň Region referendums are held in Kralovice, Žihle and Měčín, and in the South Bohemian Region in Radenín and Šebířov in the Tábor District [1]. Voting also takes place in Cítoliby in the Louny District in the Ústí nad Labem Region and in Bystrá nad Jizerou in the Semily District in the Liberec Region [1].

In Kačice in the Kladno District, residents had earlier supported the plan in a poll; the municipality then concluded a planning agreement with the investor NOHO Energy, and the construction of five turbines is being prepared, with the project going through an environmental impact assessment [2]. Some residents subsequently drew up a petition and requested a binding referendum, which the municipal council granted [1]. Kačice deputy mayor Daniela Veselská said that wind turbines can "bring money to the municipality and at the same time strengthen the energy self-sufficiency of our municipality" [1]. If the five turbines go into operation, the municipality would receive a one-off six million crowns and then 3.5 million crowns a year for the duration of operation, and residents would also get preferential electricity prices [2]. In Petrovice in the Rakovník District, one turbine is to be built, according to mayor Radek Jelínek, and the municipality is to receive from the investor between 400,000 and 1.5 million crowns a year, depending on the amount of electricity generated [2].

Trend in the number of referendums

Before the October votes, 84 referendums on wind turbines had been held in Czechia, and about a third of the municipalities voted in favour of construction [1]. Whereas between 2006 and 2022 an average of one to two such votes were held each year, 2026 is the highest so far with 30 referendums [1]. After the October elections, the total number of referendums on wind turbines held in Czechia since 2006 is expected to exceed one hundred [1]. By law, a referendum is valid if at least 35 percent of eligible voters take part [2].

Arguments of supporters and opponents

Energy expert Martin Ander of the Svaz moderní energetiky said that "open communication between the investor and citizens from day one" is key to a referendum's success, and that an offer of a guaranteed annual contribution to the municipal budget and cheaper electricity changes how the project is perceived considerably [1]. According to Ander, wind turbines have operated in Czechia for more than 20 years, and their operation shows that concerns about noise and effects on animal health have not been borne out [1]. Opponents of the projects, by contrast, often cite concerns about noise, disruption of the landscape character, falling property prices and effects on surrounding ecosystems, including disturbance of birds of prey or the destruction of protected anthills [1].

Acceleration areas and referendum questions

According to Novinky.cz, the planned turbines are built mainly in open landscape with strong and steady wind; the greatest wind potential is in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the Low Jeseníky and the Ore Mountains, but specific locations are limited by protected areas, distance from dwellings and the protection of landscape character [3]. The development of wind energy is meant to be sped up by acceleration areas, whose delineation the government approved in the Spatial Development Plan; permitting of wind and solar power plants in them is to be simpler and faster, but after comments from municipalities and other institutions the state considerably reduced the originally proposed extent [3]. Turbines can also be built outside these areas, but investors cannot use the accelerated permitting regime there [3]. According to Kladenský deník, there are 49 sites in Czechia designated for wind turbines [2].

The wording of the questions differs between municipalities. In Kačice in the Kladno District, the vote is on whether the municipality should provide cooperation in the preparation, permitting or implementation of wind turbine construction in its cadastral territory [2]. In Petroupim in the Benešov District, the decision is whether the municipality, as a party to the permitting proceedings, should express disagreement with the siting and permitting of the turbines [2]. Residents of Soběhrdy and Teplýšovice in the Benešov District answer questions on whether the municipality should take all legally available steps to prevent acceleration areas from being delineated on its territory and wind turbines from being permitted there; all three municipalities lie in the area where the Petroupim acceleration zone is located [2].

Chronology

Sources

  1. ČTK / České noviny — 28 September 2026
  2. Kladenský deník — 28 September 2026
  3. Novinky.cz