The Ministry of Industry and Trade in cooperation with the Ministry of Regional Development has introduced a long-awaited methodology for the identification and development of acceleration zones. These are newly defined areas in the Czech Republic with suitable conditions for the construction of renewable energy sources (RES) with the possibility of a simplified permitting process and minimized environmental impact.

In these designated zones, the preparation and permitting of new sources such as photovoltaic and wind power plants should take no more than 12 months. In the context of RES development in the Czech Republic, this is a crucial document that will help investors in the future with development, which today typically takes up to 10 years.

Grant Thornton partner Jiří Dvořák agrees: “We come across the problem of permitting RES construction very often when working with our clients. In addition to the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) effect, the excessive length of development is a major reason why larger PV or wind projects still fail to get off the ground today. With the approval of acceleration zones after 2026, we expect to see acceleration of renewable development as well as project cost savings due to faster development.”

The Czech Republic has committed to achieving a 30-35% share of renewables in total energy consumption by 2030, part of a broader strategy to gradually move away from fossil fuels, supported by the National Renewal Plan (NRP) and the Modernisation Fund. “Acceleration Zones are a crucial means of achieving European targets, as they will enable permitting processes to be significantly reduced to a maximum of 12 months. In addition, smaller projects, such as wind farms with less than three turbines, will not require a full environmental impact assessment (EIA),” Mr Dvořák comments.

The methodology for selecting acceleration zones is not yet final and is a working version. However, specific criteria have already been defined to guide the selection process. The methodology can thus give an indication of where future construction could be faster.  

“The selection of a suitable plot of land is problematic for RES development, as it has to meet a number of criteria. Due to the new methodology, developers will have the opportunity to select suitable areas, for example, it will be possible to find more suitable land for wind power plants on the borders of the Central Bohemian Region and the Vysočina Region,” says Mr Dvořák. The methodology also includes the introduction of an incentive and support system for municipalities, which is currently lacking to promote the plans and offer interesting incentives to municipalities. This tool will make it easier for municipalities and investors to reach an agreement that can create a mutually beneficial situation.

The methodology envisages active involvement of municipalities and regions, which will play a key role in defining acceleration zones at the local and regional level. At the national level, these zones will be coordinated by the government, which will decide on areas of supra-regional importance. Linking the individual levels of public administration will ensure a balance between local and public interests. The unified permitting process for RES constructions will be provided by the Transport and Energy Construction Authority (DESU).