Due to the controversial construction of wind farms in Zakarpattia, parliamentary committees on European integration and environmental policy held an off-site meeting back in November. The final decision, which was made public recently, shows the depth of the problem and the need for systematic work — from revising legislation to forcing local communities to finally listen to the public.
EcoPolitic talks about the key tasks for central and regional authorities contained in the final decision.
Review of investment projects and the real impact of wind farm construction on the environment
One of the main tasks is to prepare a comprehensive conclusion on the environmental risks potentially posed by the construction of wind farms in the subalpine zone of the Carpathians.
This document is to be prepared by January 31, 2026, by the Ministry of Economy in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration, and local communities. These institutions were also reminded of the current norms of construction and environmental legislation and recommended that they comply with them at all stages of wind farm construction, from planning to implementation.
Not only controversial wind farms, but also all wind power plants in Zakarpattia should be monitored. By January 31, 2026, the Ministry of Economy must analyze regional wind energy projects for compliance with environmental legislation, taking into account the environmental risks of wind farm construction. Parliamentary committees expect information on the measures taken by February 5, 2026.
In general, according to committee members, existing investment projects in the field of renewable energy sources need to be inventoried. The Cabinet of Ministers must delegate this task to the relevant central authorities by January 31, 2026.
It is also necessary to agree on immediate actions to ensure the sustainable development of the Ukrainian Carpathians. To this end, the government must hold a coordination meeting with the participation of representatives of the EU and international partners.
Effectiveness of laws and monitoring of their compliance
The committees seek to eliminate loopholes in environmental legislation that are exploited during wind power plant construction. In particular, this includes the separate classification of turbine foundations as independent structures, which allows developers to avoid environmental impact assessment procedures. The government must hold a coordination meeting and, if necessary, initiate the improvement of legislation.
However, there is still an obstacle to controlling compliance with environmental requirements. Therefore, the committees' resolution includes a recommendation to lift the moratorium on inspections by the State Environmental Inspectorate.
Stop ignoring the public
The parliament reminded the regional council and regional administration of Zakarpattia of the existence of the Law "On the Regulation of Urban Development" and its Article 21, which concerns public discussion of urban development projects.
In its decision, the Verkhovna Rada committees emphasize that the regional council must:
- ensure public involvement in discussions on amending the Zakarpattia region planning scheme;
- provide access to relevant materials within the deadlines prescribed by law;
- consider alternative locations for some wind installations in areas with low environmental vulnerability;
- to define clear criteria for selecting areas for the placement of wind energy facilities, ensuring priority is given to their development on flat or anthropogenically modified territories, as well as outside the protected natural areas of the Carpathians.
Suspicious silence from law enforcement agencies
“Strangely, law enforcement shows no proper interest in the lawlessness occurring in the Carpathians,” – noted the Chair of the Eurointegration Committee, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.
Therefore, among the recommendations is a task for the Office of the Prosecutor General. By February 5, 2026, the agency must analyze and provide committees with information on all existing criminal proceedings regarding logging at sites designated for future wind power plants or their infrastructure.
EcoPolitica previously reported on the conflict taking place in Zakarpattia. There, local residents and eco-activists are trying to defend Polonyna Runa and several other primeval forest plots from being cleared for the construction of wind farms.
However, the authorities that should be helping to preserve these unique forests are choosing to ignore the problem: the court sided with developers, and the State Environmental Inspectorate (SEI) saw no violations in the felling of ancient trees.
