Despite objections from the military, the mayor of Gryfice is pushing forward with the construction of wind turbine towers that would interfere with an air corridor used by military F-35 aircraft scheduled to be stationed at the base in Świdwin. The Ministry of National Defence (MON) issued negative opinions twice—in 2025 and again in 2026—but the mayor is only willing to reduce the height of the towers, and not to the level required by the military, but rather to what he personally deems appropriate. The Świdwin base has cost hundreds of millions of złoty, and the F-35s are expected to arrive as early as the end of May. “This is sabotage or diversion,” says MP Marek Gróbarczyk, who has been handling the case and at whose request the regional chamber of audit and the prosecutor’s office are now investigating the matter.
“This simply defies belief. It must be called what it is: sabotage or diversion. The mayor, against the position of the Ministry of National Defence, is forcing through the construction of wind farms along a permanent military flight route. The Świdwin area is set to host F-35 and FA-50 fighter jets that will protect Polish airspace from threats posed by the Russian Federation. A year ago, local councillors adopted a resolution to amend the spatial development plan so that a private investor could build nearly 300-meter wind turbines near a Military Terminal Area (MTMA). I have just submitted a notification to the Chief of the General Staff and the Operational Commander of the Armed Forces,” said MP Marek Gróbarczyk, who has been dealing with the issue for several months. At his request, the regional chamber of audit has launched a review, and a report has been filed with the prosecutor’s office. Gróbarczyk finds it at least puzzling that the investment in Gryfice has not raised objections from a number of institutions. “It is as if the mayor of Gryfice were under some kind of protection. He publicly displays a photo with Adam Bodnar and clearly feels untouchable,” he added.
The voivode, Interior Ministry, and environment ministry say “yes”
Gryfice mayor Tomasz Aniuksztys has been pushing the project since 2024. At that time, at the request of a private investor, an “Analysis of the Justification for Initiating the Preparation of a Local Spatial Development Plan” was prepared. One section of the analysis, “in line with the investor’s declarations,” specified the project parameters: “maximum total height of wind turbines: 300 meters.” Residents began protesting against turbines of such height. MP Gróbarczyk took up the issue. Nevertheless, the Gryfice council, at the mayor’s request, adopted a series of resolutions, advancing the investment process. Gróbarczyk referred these resolutions to the voivode, requesting their annulment. At the time, he was unaware of the objections raised by the Ministry of National Defence—apparently, the voivode was not aware either. Despite being a representative of the central government, the voivode found nothing in the resolutions or the mayor’s actions that would justify overturning them (the newspaper “Codzienna” has this position from December 2025). Similarly, in response to Gróbarczyk’s inquiries, neither the Ministry of the Interior and Administration nor the Ministry of Climate and Environment challenged the plans. Deputy Minister Dorożała from the climate ministry stated, for example, that the negative opinion of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection was of little significance, as it had been issued “based on the precautionary principle.” The Interior Ministry, in turn, stated that “there are no grounds for the Minister of the Interior and Administration to take actions interfering with the supervisory powers exercised independently by voivodes,” and the voivode maintained his position.
The Defence Ministry says “no”
The Ministry of National Defence opposes the investment. Deputy Minister Bejda, responding to Gróbarczyk, pointed out that “airspaces MRT 94 and MRT 96 (MRT – Military Route) have been designated over the Gryfice municipality, used by military aviation at altitudes from ground level up to 548 meters above sea level.” He added: “The draft local spatial development plan for areas located in the cadastral districts of Lubieszewo, Rotnowo, and Stawno-Sokołów (resolution No. VII/60/2024 of 25 September 2024) has twice failed to obtain approval (in 2025 and 2026) due to the presence of the MRT 96 military flight route over the area.”
“The towers planned by the mayor of Gryfice will form a wall along the flight path of F-35 and FA-50 aircraft that are to land in Świdwin. A few days ago, I forwarded the Defence Ministry’s position to the voivode. If no action is taken now, it will constitute a failure to fulfill his duties. I am awaiting a response,” Gróbarczyk said.
Three days ago, the mayor sent a letter to the military declaring readiness to modify the project parameters—but not to the extent demanded by the armed forces. According to the military, towers that would not pose a threat to aircraft at that distance from the airfield should be around 90 meters high. The mayor is willing to “reduce” the height, but not to 90 meters—rather by 90 meters, meaning the towers would still significantly exceed the acceptable limit (the document is in the possession of “Codzienna”).
…and that says it all
“This situation is a perfect illustration of how Tusk’s state operates. Individual institutions are unaware of the military’s objections, and the mayor does as he pleases. The only institution that has reacted and is currently conducting an audit at the Gryfice municipal office is the regional chamber of audit. I have also provided them with the Defence Ministry’s position,” concluded Marek Gróbarczyk.