Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo) says no to the Davvi wind power plant being built on their property. The up to 170 disputed wind turbines are planned on the Vuonjalrášša mountain plateau, in the far south of Lebesby municipality. FeFo justifies its decision with regard to local communities and local rights holders, including reindeer husbandry, outdoor recreation and nature conservation. If this happens, it could have major consequences for whether Norway fulfills the Paris Agreement and reaches the climate target. Davvi wind power plant is one of the projects included in the government’s plan to electrify the gas plant on Melkøya. And with that cut one of the biggest sources of emissions in the country. – We believe it is important that the Dávvin wind farm is not established. The area they want to tie up is enormous, says chairman Kurt Wikan of FeFo. Kurt Wikan is the chairman of Finnmarkseiendommen (FeFo), which is now saying no to negotiations with Grenselandet DA about Davvi Vindkraftverk. Photo: Mariam Eltervåg Cissé / news Will continue with the project The Finnish company Grenseland DA is behind the plans in Lebesby, which will become one of Northern Europe’s largest wind power plants. The company has invited FeFo to negotiations on an agreement for the area, but FeFo has declined these. It is FeFo that manages almost all land in Finnmark on behalf of the residents. In order to secure local control over the wind power resources in the county, FeFo took the initiative to establish Finnmark Kraft AS in 2009. The agreement gives the company an option to develop wind power. The press release from FeFo confirms the agreement they have on exclusivity to Finnmark Kraft. – We continue with the project and relate to the municipality’s planning process and the licensing process carried out by NVE, writes general manager of Grenselandet DA, Svein Skudal Aase in an SMS to news. – We mostly believe in direct communication and therefore have no further comments that we wish to give through the media. Svein Skudal Aase is the general manager of Grenselandet, which wants to build a wind power plant in Finnmark. Photo: EILIF ASLAKSEN / news Wants to realize wind power projects Lebesby municipality is positive about wind power development. Mayor Sigurd Rafaelsen (Ap) was clear that he welcomed developers when he stood for re-election this autumn. In the far south of Lebesby municipality, one of Northern Europe’s largest wind power plants is planned to be built, but now the landowner says no. Seven wind power plants have been registered in the municipality. The fact that FeFo says no to Davvi will be taken into account by the mayor when the matter is to be considered in the municipal council. Here, interests related to, among other things, reindeer husbandry and nature conservation must also be taken into account in the assessment. – It is FeFo’s right as landowner to say no. We want to realize projects that are important to both us and the region, says Rafaelsen. – FeFo’s position becomes part of our overall assessment. It is therefore important that they also attach importance to the municipality’s point of view when we have dealt with the matter. Mayor of Lebesby, Sigurd Rafaelsen is positive about wind power development in the municipality. But says they take many considerations into account in the assessment when looking at the projects proposed to the municipality. Photo: Hanna Johre / news Can still become a wind power plant FeFo’s no does not mean the hook in the door for Davvi wind power. The exclusive agreement with Finnmark Kraft requires FeFo to say no if there is no risk of expropriation. Grenslandet DA can now apply for that. Kurt Wikan in FeFo says that the purpose of establishing Finnmark Kraft was to be able to have “hands on the wheel” and lead Finnmark’s interests in wind power development. Grenselandet DA’s main owner is the Finnish energy company ST1. The fact that the profits from a possible Davvi wind power plant will end up abroad was not decisive. – The mountain area we are talking about here is of such great importance for so many interests in the county, that our point of view would probably have been the same regardless of the developer, says Wikan. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy was not available to comment on the matter on Tuesday evening.
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Could overturn the government’s Melkøya project – news Troms and Finnmark
