The new mayor of Pilsen, Roman Zarzycký (ANO), does not agree with the way the government communicates about the considered project of a factory for batteries for electric cars, the so-called gigafactory at the reserve army airport in Líny near Pilsen. Therefore, Zarzycký sent an open letter to Prime Minister Petar Fial (ODS) today. The Volkswagen Group (VW) plans to build a factory in the Czech Republic, Poland or Hungary for roughly CZK 120 billion. In his letter the mayor called on the prime minister to reevaluate communication and perceive the city as an equal partner. He pointed out that under the current conditions he is against construction.
In the letter, he strongly demands that the government immediately and transparently inform the city and its citizens about the intention of the factory. “I am asking you and your government to publish the opinion of the Army of the Czech Republic on the (un)necessity of the Lína airport, which according to information in the media, your cabinet is keeping under strict secrecy,” said Zarzycký. According to him, this adds to the speculation that the government wants to “enforce the gigafactory by force”, despite the disapproval of the army. The army was supposed to comment by the end of August on whether the airport in Líní, i.e. an area of almost 400 hectares, is needed. According to the his statement to the Ministry of Defense and the government was that they consider it a strategic and development area. Sources close to investor VW said that the Ministry of Defense offered Lína to the automaker itself in February of this year, before the conflict in Ukraine.
In the Prime Minister’s letter, Zarzycký pointed out that it is necessary to ensure enough water for the gigafactory, which is impossible without the Plzeň Waterworks, but no one discussed this topic with the town hall or the city company. “In the current circumstances, when the city is not informed in detail, on time and transparently about the entire plan, and when the overwhelming majority of citizens do not agree with the plan, I intend to use all legal options and powers as the mayor to stop the construction of the gigafactory at the expense of the existing Lína airport,” he said in a letter to the mayor.
The intention to build a gigafactory in Líní was supported by the government on Wednesday. The prime minister then said that he would inform VW management, which is expected to decide on the location of the factory by the end of the year. Dozens of flight schools and an air ambulance service operate at the non-public domestic and international airport. The region, Pilsen, surrounding municipalities and aviation schools want to preserve it. At the same time, the airport cannot work on the desktop with the gigafactory.
On Friday, a working group led by deputy Petr Oček met for the first time at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), and Škoda Auto board member Martin Jahn was there for the VW concern. The meeting was also attended by mayors Líní and Dobřan, governor Rudolf Špoták (Pirates) and his deputy Pavel Čížek (STAN) and the new deputy mayor of Pilsen Pavel Bosák (Pirates). The MPO promised that it would have a study of the impacts of a possible investment processed quickly. It was also said that if VW does not choose the Czech Republic, the preparation of the zone in Líny will fail.
“This meeting was supposed to be in the second half of April,” Špoták said on Friday. According to the governor, the MPO acknowledged the unfortunate communication. “If the benefits for citizens, such as plenty of greenery, village bypasses, better air, better communication connections, cheaper heat and others, outweigh the minuses, then we will make decisions in the interest of our residents,” said the mayor of Dobřan, Martin Sobotka (Aktivní Dobřany). The municipality owns two-fifths of the land at the airport, which they consider to be their main asset. “I have not learned anything that would have a major impact on my position on the project so far, which is skeptical,” said Bosák.
The gigafactory itself is to be on an area of 110 hectares, and another 75 hectares is to be set aside for material suppliers. In addition, about 65 hectares are earmarked for future development or contractors. “If the Volkswagen concern’s investment is approved, construction of the gigafactory could begin in the third quarter of 2024. The expected number of employees is up to 4,000, and their recruitment will be gradual,” said Škoda Auto spokesman Pavel Jína. According to Jahn, the municipalities, the region and the government should say in November whether it will be possible to secure connections to the road and rail network and energy and water sources by the start of construction. Accordingly, VW will decide on the location of the project. According to Jahn, the MPO has now collected the opinions and demands of the municipalities, which need to be resolved.
Source: CTK
