Valga Municipality organises Draft decision on the pre-selection of the location of a wind farm in Valga municipality and strategic environmental assessment first public access to the phase 1 reportu
02.02 until 15.03.2026 Valga municipality website and the following institutions:
- In the lobby of the 1st floor of Valga Municipality Government (Puiestee tn 8, Valga),
- Valga Central Library (Aia 12, Valga),
- Tsirguliina Library (Nooruse 1, Tsirguliina village),
- Sooru Library (Kesk tn 13-1, Sooru village),
- Õru Library (Kooli 2, Õru village),
- Hummuli Library (Tiigi tn 1, Hummuli village, Tõrva municipality).
The materials and information of the draft decision on the pre-selection of the location of the Valga municipality wind farm and the first stage report of the strategic environmental assessment can be consulted at the listed institutions during their working hours.
During the public consultation, any person has the right to express an opinion on the draft decision on the pre-selection of the site for a special local development plan and the first stage report of the strategic environmental assessment. Opinions on the specific plan and the strategic environmental assessment are invited to the Valga municipality's e-mail address at the following address or to the postal address Puiestee tn 8, 68203 Valga, no later than 15.03.2026.
Purpose of the specific plan
The purpose of this specific plan is to find the most suitable location for the construction of a wind farm and the infrastructure necessary for its operation on the territory of Valga municipality and to define the conditions for the further design of the wind farm, taking into account environmental impacts and local interests.
Location and size of the planning area
The planning area is located in the territory of Valga municipality and partly includes the following village areas: Mustumetsa, Killinge, Kiviküla, Uniküla, Õruste, Tõlliste and Sooru. The area covered by the plan is approximately 7 400 hectares. The analysis of the noise emission zones (the standard zones based on the night-time target value for industrial noise) during the preparation of the plan revealed the need to increase the planning area towards the village of Sooru by about 100 ha in order to include the modelled noise-affected area in the planning area. The size of the planning area submitted for public consultation is approximately 7 500 ha. During the preparation of the DP and the assessment of the SEA, it has been identified that the most suitable areas for the wind farm are TU2, TU3 and TU4 (the history of suitable areas is described in chapter 3.1 of the DP and presented in the main drawing). The wind turbines were not planned for TU1 for reasons of bird protection.
Purpose of the proposed building and potential environmental impact
In the pre-selection areas TU2, TU3 and TU4, six, nine and three wind turbines (up to a total of 18) can be built, respectively, with a maximum permissible peak height of 270 m. For the construction of the wind turbines, the specific plan has defined the principle locations in the pre-selection areas. A 50 m variation in the location of the wind turbine is allowed in the design, but other conditions set out in the plan must be respected. In the locations proposed in principle, the plan is feasible. The development of the wind farm may have significant environmental impacts, including:
- Impact on the natural environment and landscape - visual impact and spatial impact on the landscape,
- Impacts on biodiversity, including impacts on birds, bats and vegetation,
- Impacts on the living environment of residents, including potential effects of noise and shadowing,
- Other environmental factors which, depending on the location, may affect water bodies, soil and cultural values.
In the light of the EP and the content of the SEA, it can be confirmed that the most suitable sites for the wind farm, including wind turbines, are TU2, TU3 and TU4. The siting of the wind turbines, the general conditions for their erection, the pre-selection process, the decision taken on the basis of the pre-selection process and the first stage report of the SEA comply with the legislation in force. The information provided in the SEA Phase I report has also been sufficient to make a choice between the different sites considered. The planning solution provides confidence that the plan is feasible subject to the conditions imposed, including mitigation and monitoring measures.