Work is continuing on the construction of a wind farm on the high-altitude Runa mountain pasture. Environmental organisations have documented the ongoing construction of foundations for wind turbines, whilst local residents have filmed heavy machinery carrying equipment components travelling to the site along roads cut through the forest.
The “Teren” community claims that this work contravenes Ukrainian legislation and the promises made by Oleksiy Sobolev, Minister for the Economy, the Environment and Agriculture.
Previously, the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG) reported that new sites were being cleared for foundations.
“Hectares of mountain meadows are being destroyed. A crane has already been brought in to install wind turbines on last year’s foundations. Some of the sites where we recorded Red List plant species, which we documented together with representatives of the Tur’ye-Remetivska Territorial Community in May, have already been destroyed,” the environmentalists noted.
Source: UNCG
The "Save Pikuy" community has also posted a video filmed by local residents in Zhdenievo. It shows equipment being transported that appears to be wind turbine components. Activists state that this cargo is being moved along a forest road built last year by the Svaliava Forestry.
“Forests-in particular, beech forests-were cut down to lay this road, as well as primeval forests in the Uzhhorod Forestry area. This road was also constructed during wartime at taxpayers' expense, coinciding logistically with the needs of private relocated energy businesses and has become very 'useful' for local businesses promoting jeep tours to Runa,” say representatives of "Save Pikuy".
Valuable land instead of degraded areas
Activists remind that there are already two zoning maps for energy development in Ukraine. These were prepared with funding from European partners-the Secretariat of the Energy Community and the Danish Energy Agency. Meadow Runa is not included there; instead, a wide range of alternatives is presented where energy facilities could be built.
These areas are not subject to environmental restrictions but have sufficient wind power and insolation. Environmentally sensitive territories are not included among them. Instead of forests, wetlands, and highlands, zones of accelerated renewable energy development are represented by degraded and industrial areas.
“In our opinion, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Energy should stop sending formal replies and finally focus on ensuring that wind and solar power plants are built only within these zones. This would benefit nature, the energy sector, and honest businesses,” emphasized "Teren".
Broken promises
Environmentalists recall that on February 13, in his post, the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, Oleksii Sobolev, wrote the following:
“Next, the key issue is fulfilling all environmental requirements and ensuring transparent post-project monitoring. The Ministry will maintain oversight of compliance and continue working to improve regulations for major projects. The final stage may involve judicial control, where the legality of decisions will be reviewed by courts of all instances.”
In reality, however, work continues without any oversight.
Let us recall that Oleksiy Sobolev made similar comments regarding the issuance of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conclusion for the construction of a wind farm in the Turya-Remety community. This decision was made despite objections from both experts and the public. Even members of parliament demanded to halt construction by granting the high-mountain part of the Carpathians protected status.
Subsequently, the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, citing the conclusion of the State Inspection of Architecture and Urban Planning, ultimately acknowledged that constructing the foundation structures separately from the overall project violates the law.
Nevertheless, the construction of wind farms on Runa and other mountain meadows, as well as the related infrastructure, has not stopped. The deforestation for the power line to Runa Meadow and the Pikuy summit is a separate concern. Activists warned about the value of the forest placed at risk of destruction. However, after conducting dubious assessments the deforestation was nevertheless given a “green light.” Due to the considerable public outcry, activists managed to draw attention to the rare species, and SE “Forests of Ukraine” even promised to suspend the work and establish a relevant commission. However, as was quite predictable, officials did not keep their word, and logging continued despite official announcements.
Previously, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to a petition calling for the urgent preservation of the Carpathians. He referred this issue to Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Rustem Umyerov. The petition gathered the required 25,000 signatures in five days.
