– The state must be an essential part of any mediated solution. The parties themselves have completely different points of view. That’s what director of communications at Aneo, which is the operator and owner of Roan Vind, Stig Tore Laugen, says. It is just before new mediation meetings in the Fosen case. The association will not comment on the content of the mediations themselves. But he believes that the likelihood of achieving a solution largely depends on how the state actively contributes. The first mediation meeting was held in Stjørdal in May 2023. Photo: Ingrid LIndgaard Stranden / news He points out that the judgment says the awarding of the concession constitutes a violation of human rights. It was the state that gave it. – The state is therefore absolutely crucial to finding a final solution, says Laugen. The meetings have been going on since May. Meeting this month Aneo and Roan Vind are in mediation with the northern group of reindeer owners at Fosen. Fosen Vind is in mediation with the southern group. There are therefore two separate mediations in progress because the developments affect two different mountain areas and sides. The northern group has said it is losing faith in the meetings and is considering pulling out after the next one. The southern group does not say that. Aneo is also part owner of Storheia. Here in conversation with the head of the Sør-Fosen site, Leif Arne Jåma. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news – Sør-Fosen site makes an ongoing evaluation of whether we think further negotiations have a purpose, and whether a solution is in sight, says lawyer Eirik Brønner of the law firm Brønner & Co DA. – The state holds the key to a solution, says Laugen. Didn’t want to expand at first Laugen gets support from professor of social economics at the Norwegian School of Economics and former head of the Energy Commission, Lars Sørgard. – It would be wrong to place the responsibility on the developer. The responsibility lies with the state authorities, says Sørgard. He points out that the developers started with the wind turbines after being strongly encouraged to do so. Construction work in the mountains at Fosen began in 2016. Statkraft is the leading producer of wind power in Northern Europe. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news In 2015, Statkraft scrapped the plans at Fosen. But after strong pressure from, among other things, most political parties, it became known in February 2016 that the Fosen development would become a reality, with the help of foreign investors. – You should basically be able to rely on a licence. There are great values at stake here, says Sørgard. Must keep an arm’s length distance Fosen Vind was responsible for the development of a total of six wind power plants at Fosen. The state owns Statkraft, which also owns 52.1 percent of Fosen Vind. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news Fosen Vind is owned by Statkraft with 52.1 per cent. Statkraft is also owned by the state. Sørgard believes it is important that the necessary distance is kept between Statkraft and the Ministry of Oil and Energy (OED) in the resolution of the Fosen case. – Statkraft must be at arm’s length from the OED, and act completely independently of the ministry, on an equal footing with a private actor, says Professor Sørgard. Professor of social economics at the Norwegian School of Economics and former head of the Energy Commission, Lars Sørgard, says the whole matter is a big dilemma with important considerations on both sides. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB scanpix He believes that a lot is at stake as power prices are also rising, and that the loss by demolishing turbines will be greater now than in the past. – There has been an increase in prices in the power market. There is a great need for power. This is a dilemma for society and Norway, says Sørgard. According to an analysis carried out by Europower, the two wind power plants have generated one billion kroner in revenue, just since the verdict was handed down two years ago. Will not comment on money issues news has tried to get a comment from OED on whether it might be relevant to enter into financial compensation for the developers, in order to reach a solution in the Fosen case. That the state puts money on the table to contribute to an amicable solution to the matter. OED refers to the mediation process and that it is confidential. – We still hope this mediation will lead to an agreement between the parties, says State Secretary of the OED, Elisabeth Sæther. That the state should contribute money in some way has been a theme. – It is clear that there has been talk of the state’s responsibility. In relation to both groups. Both the developers and the reindeer owners, says Laugen in Aneo. Communications director at Roan Vind, Stig Tore Laugen, says the state holds the key in the Fosen case. Photo: Kirsti Kringstad / news Statkraft bleeds more than Roan Vind In 2021, Statkraft sold its 52.1 percent share in the Roan wind farm to Aneo and partner Stadtwerke München. Aneo is owned by TrønderEnergi and the fund HitecVision. The contract between Statkraft and Aneo states that the buyers of Statkraft’s 52.1 per cent stake in Roan Vind are held harmless for potential losses as a result of the Fosen case. This means that Statkraft receives a financial burden in both wind power plants. – Would it be appropriate for Fosen Vind to make a claim to the state for the financial disadvantages you get in the Fosen case? – I cannot comment on that, says general manager of Fosen Vind DA, Tom Kristian Larsen. General manager of Fosen Vind DA, Tom Kristian Larsen, says the most important thing for them now is to find a solution through mediation. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news He points out that the most important thing for them now is to participate in the mediation, and that he hopes they all come to an agreement. – Mediation is the fastest way to a solution. We are working on it. At the same time, such a process takes time because it is complicated. Mediation takes time, says Larsen. Knows the responsibility Aneo knows the responsibility to take care of the 19 municipalities in Trønder that own the company. There is a great need for power in central Norway. – One must remember that the direct cause of the Fosen development was the electricity crisis we had in central Norway around 2011, with burst production and grid capacity, as well as very high electricity prices, says Laugen. The European investor consortium Nordic Wind Power is also an owner in both wind power plants. It is a fund managed by, among others, the Swiss power company BKW. – As long as no decision has been made here, we cannot talk about possible consequences, says head of media relations at BKW, Philipp Mäder. – There is a huge difference in values here. Billions on one side, and consideration for human rights on the other, says Sørgard.
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– The state holds the key – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
