Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) initiated Tuesday's session, aimed at clearly setting out the government's position and discussing with representatives of towns and municipalities all issues concerning the possible future development of wind energy in the affected region.
The government ensures that the decisive authority over any potential construction of wind farms will rest with the affected local authorities. The towns and municipalities themselves will therefore decide whether such a project is built on their land.
According to the Government Office, the cabinet must respect Slovakia's commitments under its Recovery and Resilience Plan, as adopted by the previous government in 2022-2023, and will formally fulfil them. It warned that otherwise the current government would face a penalty of almost €500 million, which would have a significantly negative impact on the preparation and approval of the state budget for 2027.
"Preparing the conditions for the development of wind energy is not a priority for our government. These are commitments adopted by previous governments, which we respect. Our clear energy priority is the development of nuclear power and preparations for the construction of a new nuclear facility," Fico stressed.
The government will do its utmost to ensure that the country does not lose even a single euro from the recovery plan as a result of fulfilling the previous government's formal commitments. The funds are directed to Slovak regions, the renovation of schools and nurseries, social services facilities, outpatient clinics, hospitals and other public infrastructure that directly improves people's quality of life.
At Tuesday's meeting, the government clearly told representatives of the affected local authorities that it would neither promote nor carry out the construction of wind farms in the area concerned. It also guarantees that any potential construction of wind power plants will be decided by the affected local authorities. This position also applies to any future plans by private investors, as such projects cannot be pursued without the consent of the local authorities.
Source: TASR
