On Friday, the government admitted that the wind power plant at Fosen violates the community’s ability to run reindeer herding, and that the 151 wind turbines that are still standing are an ongoing violation of human rights. The state will now have meetings with the reindeer owners at Fosen to try to find a solution that can put an end to the violation of human rights. Terje Haugen, head of the Fosen reindeer herding district. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news The head of Nord-Fosen reindeer herding district, Terje Haugen, believes the state must remove the wind turbines. – We adhere to the judgment in the Supreme Court. And as he was told, the building is invalid as of today, and then we have no other choice but to stick to it. Fears power crisis But a removal could have major consequences, believes Per Olav Hopsø. He heads the industry committee in Trøndelag county municipality, and is the county mayoral candidate for Ap in Trøndelag in the autumn election. – These are two wind farms that produce as much electricity a year as the consumption of all the households in Trondheim, the third largest city in Norway. So if, in the worst case, they disappear, it’s big, he said in Politisk kvarter måndag. Leader of the industry committee in Trøndelag county municipality, Per Olav Hopsø (Ap). Photo: Bjarte Johannesen / news He fears that a demolition could lead to both a power crisis in central Norway that would affect the business world and the goal of a climate-neutral Trøndelag by 2030. – When I travel around Trøndelag, the businesses I visit say that they need Power. So for Trøndelag, a reduction in power production at the level these two wind farms produce at will have major consequences. I think the fear is exaggerated SV supports the demand of the reindeer owners that the wind farm at Fosen must be demolished. Storting representative and member of the energy and environment committee, Lars Haltbrekken, says the most important thing now is to put an end to the violation of human rights. – We know that it is the development of wind power that is the cause of the violation of human rights. A number of mitigating measures have been considered, but they have not been found to be sufficient. And then the wind turbines must come down. And then we believe that the consequences for people and business have been exaggerated. Much other power has been developed in central Norway in recent years. Storting representative Lars Haltbrekken (SV). Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news Hopsø rejects that they exaggerate, and fears a shortfall in power. – I would not say that we exaggerate. We are dependent on new renewable power, in addition to existing power, if we are to reach the climate goals we have set for 2030, he says. Need new energy sources When the wind farm at Fosen was to be built, SV was among the parties that were positive about the development. But now the party has turned around. Haltbrekken believes that the government should rather look after other power projects. – We need more renewable energy to solve the climate crisis. But we cannot violate human rights, as we have done at Fosen. Now the government must put an end to these violations, but in parallel with this they should work on a separate energy plan for Central Norway. He lists the upgrading of existing hydropower plants, energy efficiency and investment in other renewable energy sources, such as solar power. Hopsø welcomes the new plans, but thinks that Trøndelag will quickly have a power deficit if the Fosen turbines are dismantled. – Trøndelag county council has asked for an energy plan, because we see the situation we are in. We need both energy efficiency, expansion of the hydropower plant and investment in new renewable sources. We need all the power we can get towards 2030, so that we can reach the goal we have set ourselves.
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Fears a power crisis if the wind turbines at Fosen disappear
