1. Czech methodology for wind power plants localization (from the point of view of nature conservation) Brussels January, 17th 2006 Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic Vršovická 65 Prague, 100 10 Tel: ++420-267 122 510 Fax: ++420-267 310 856 Email: michal_pravec@env.cz

2. Czech context of the problem The question of social demand, economic feasibility and real environmental profit of wind power plants (WPP) establishment in the Czech Republic The Czech Republic has not such a suitable conditions for usage of wind power as in Denmark, Germany etc The Czech Government decided that one part of the National Energy Strategy will be dedicated to WPP (800 - 1000 plants of 1,5 MW installed capacity)

3. Conditions the number of WPP and their concentration have to meet following requirements: not to damage the landscape quality (both aesthetic and cultural) not to reduce its biodiversity to satisfy requirements of investors

4. Input data : number of WPP proposed by the Czech Government map of suitable areas (where wind power plants building would be acceptable) according to the Czech wind map map of areas important from point of view of nature conservation Overlay maps results: –acceptable areas (with minimum of conflicts with nature conservation) –not acceptable areas (areas vulnerable from nature conservation point of view) for the WPP investments Czech WPP potential map

5. Wind map and wind energy potential map Wind map wind velocity distribution map at the elevation of 10 meters above terrain and wind efficiency density map at the elevation of 40 meters above terrain during the year Wind energy potential map map based on areas satisfying the requirement of minimum wind velocity value according to the wind map (4,5 m/s as a minimum value for the wind energy use) – gives information for both investors and nature protection bodies

6. Areas suitable for WPP localization

7. Areas of nature conservation importance National Parks Protected Landscape Areas „NATURA 2000“ sites territorial systems of ecological stability on the Czech and European level important big birds migration ways

8. Areas suitable for WPP localization an analysis of potential conflicts with nature conservation

9. target of the methodology: creation of rules to be used by nature conservation authorities and investors during the approval process of the WPP building each case of WPP building has to be assessed individually - wind energy potential map is only indicative material and cannot substitute legislation process (according to the Spatial Planning Act and Nature Conservation Act)  necessity of creation of procedure and authorisation rules for the WPP localization WPP building methodology context

10. Guidance for investors Ministry of Environment compiled list of documents which have to be submitted by investors list of aspects whose environmental impact on nature and landscape during realization could be negative

11. Guidance for nature conservation bodies methodic list created for nature conservation bodies especially for buildings assessment together with legislative norms list to be used in unusual situations

12. Consequential measures an important additive effect of methodology: an introduction of both wind energy potential map and environmentally sensitive areas into the spatial plans it should be created also particular rules and limits in these plans for localization WPP according to the Saxon example

13. Methodology significance solves conceptually WPP localization process (from the point of nature conservation) for the Czech Republic offers assessment method and calls attention to particular environmental aspects of WPP building unifies documentation list necessary for WPP localization process is addressed for both investors and nature conservation bodies – to prevent conflict situations

14. Thanks for your attention

15. Martina Pásková, PhD. Head of the Department of Settlements’ and Human Ecology Martin Pravec Department of Landscape Ecology