Local residents are unhappy with the proposed routing of a new 330 kV power line in Kuldīga, which would involve cutting down significant forest land.
Residents of Kuldīga are expressing dissatisfaction over the planned construction of a new 330 kV power transmission line that reroutes around the city and the nearby Ventas village. The proposed route is approximately 20 kilometers long, which is 7 kilometers longer than if it followed the existing 110 kV line. The new path is set to disturb 'Natura 2000' areas and result in the deforestation of more than 70 hectares of forest. Local forestry worker Kārlis Blūms emphasized the permanence of this deforestation, noting that it not only takes away usable land but also incurs additional maintenance costs for the community.
The municipality of Kuldīga acknowledges that the current 110 kV line runs very close to the city and crosses near Ventas village, raising concerns about the impact of the new line's taller supports on the landscape of Kuldīga's Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The decision to redirect the power line aims to mitigate these potential impacts, but it has not appeased the local residents who remain skeptical about the alterations.
Residents are additionally concerned about the number of families affected by the different routing. The current corridor impacts 107 individuals, whereas the new proposed path through the forest reduces this number to only 36. This significant difference highlights the complex balance of maintaining environmental conservation efforts while also considering the rights and needs of the local populace.
