In July, public hearings were held in Sokal district to discuss the construction of a wind farm in our community.
The project has attracted considerable attention because it is a modern approach to energy supply that will not only solve a number of problems but will also be a step towards energy independence for the Sokal community.
The Zakhid Viter company, which will be engaged in the construction, presented the details of the project. In a short interview with Holos Sokalshchyny, the company’s CEO Andriy Tabinsky shared important information about the prospects and benefits of this project.
Energy crisis as an incentive for alternative energy development
“Today, the country is experiencing an energy crisis due to Russian aggression, and we need to diversify energy generation to ensure sustainable energy supply, so projects like ours are relevant and should be supported. The project involves the installation of 8 wind turbines with a total capacity of 57.6 MW. Once completed, the energy from our wind turbines will be able to cover 30-40% of the community’s electricity needs,” said Andriy Tabinsky.
Investing in the future of the community
The construction of a wind farm will be a significant investment project for the Sokal region. The volume of investments is expected to exceed 50 million euros,” said the head of the company.
“The construction of a wind farm has not only energy benefits, but also additional benefits for the community. For example, wind farms can become a tourist magnet for a region. Modern technology always attracts attention, and the plant can contribute to the development of eco-tourism. At the same time, Zakhid Viter is registered in the community, which means stable tax revenues to the local budget that can be used to develop infrastructure, education and other important areas of life.”
Community and local business engagement and road issues
The construction of the plant will not only bring energy benefits, but also create new jobs. Local contractors, specialists and entrepreneurs will be involved in the construction process. Community residents will have the opportunity to take part in the work, which will help develop local businesses. Once the project is completed, several people will be needed to maintain the plant, including security guards and highly skilled engineers.
One of the key challenges that may arise during construction is the condition of the roads:
“The wind turbine components have to be transported on a flat road surface, so the roads in our area need to be repaired before construction begins. This is an important step to improve the local infrastructure,” said Andrii.
Community energy security is a shared responsibility
Wind energy is not only a modern technological trend, but also a way to strengthen the energy independence of our community. The wind farm is a step forward that will help provide the community with clean and reliable energy for decades to come.
In conclusion, Mr Andriy called on the community to actively engage in discussions about the project and support it. “Energy security is an issue that concerns each of us. We must realise that these projects are important not only for our community but also for the whole country.”
How the approval of the wind farm construction project in the Sokal region is going on
On 16 September 2024, at a meeting of the deputy commission on agriculture, land relations, ecology and nature management, territorial development, infrastructure, architecture and construction, the draft urban planning documentation “Detailed Territory Plan for the purpose of changing the designated purpose of land plots for the construction and maintenance of a wind farm on the territory of the Sokal community” was presented. The deputies also reviewed the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report. This is another step in the process of approving an important project for our community.
Holos Sokalshchyny spoke to Myroslav Yezerskyi, Head of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department of the Sokal City Council, to learn more about the details of the project.
Main characteristics of the wind farm
According to Mr Myroslav, the wind farm will consist of 8 wind turbines, each of which will cover an area of 0.2 to 0.4 hectares and be up to 200 metres high. The blades will be up to 100 metres in diameter. The height and diameter will depend on the location of each wind turbine. The project includes maximum dimensions, which may be reduced in the course of project implementation.
The project covers an area of 2,800 hectares, but only 356 hectares will be needed for the construction and maintenance of the plant. This area includes access roads, land for laying cables, and other technical elements necessary for the operation of the plant.
A detailed project plan, which is available on the website of the Sokal City Council:
When asked about the access roads, Myroslav Yezerskyi said that several options for access to each windmill are currently being considered. One runs from Sokal to Stoyanov. The second road runs to Ilkovychi outside Sokal.
Particular attention is paid to the width of the roads, which must be flat and meet the requirements for transporting large equipment. To this end, the investor is willing to bear part of the cost of road repairs.
Problems with land lease
“The biggest obstacle at this stage is the need to negotiate with landowners to build temporary technical roads,” said Mr Myroslav, “but these issues are gradually being resolved. The investor is ready to enter into easement agreements with the land plot owners so that the land can be returned to their owners in good condition after the construction is completed.”
Noise characteristics of wind turbines and impact on residents
One of the most frequently asked questions from residents is the level of noise that wind turbines can generate. Mr Myroslav explained that noise at an altitude of 130 metres from the blades can reach 120 decibels, but it decreases significantly with distance from the source. The distance to the nearest residential buildings will be at least 850 metres, which meets all safety requirements for noise levels
Which starosta districts will be involved in the project
The wind farm project covers four starosta districts and the city of Sokal. Public hearings were held in each of these districts.
In particular, one wind turbine will be located in Stenyatinsky and Svitazovsky districts, two wind turbines in Tartakovsky district, and four wind turbines in Bobyatinsky district.
The public hearings were held without any comments, and the minutes of these meetings are available on the city council’s website. Thus, the approval of the project is gradually moving forward, and the community may witness the first stages of construction in the near future.
What’s next?
The biggest challenges to date have been leasing land for temporary roads and ensuring that the roads are level for the transport of the large wind turbine components. The trucks that will be used for this purpose will be up to 60 metres long, and therefore flat roads are crucial for the successful implementation of the project.