The review of Roan Vind DA comes from the northern group of reindeer owners at Fosen, Nord Fosen siida. This is happening at the same time that both the state, the developers and the affected reindeer owners sit in mediation and negotiations with national mediator Mats Ruland. The reason is that they believe the production of power in the disputed mountain areas violates both the Energy Act and the Criminal Code. – These are criminal matters, and they should be investigated by the police. In our view, the conditions for opening an investigation have been met, says lawyer for Nord-Fosen siida, Knut Helge Hurum. When the Roan wind power plant was completed in 2019, it was the country’s largest for wind power with 71 turbines. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news Do not have access to the area On 11 October 2021, the Supreme Court declared the concessions for the development of the Storheia and Roan wind power plants to be invalid. The reason is that they violate the reindeer owners’ opportunity for cultural exercise in accordance with the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights, SP 27. Since then, power has been produced and sold from the area for almost two years. Hurum believes this violates the Energy Act, because the Energy Act prohibits power production without a valid licence. Lawyer for Nord-Fosen siida, Knut Helge Hurum Photo: Erik Lieungh But the review is not least about the opportunity to be able to use the mountain areas at all. The lawyer believes that the conclusion from the Supreme Court also covers the expropriation permit. That is to say, the opportunity the power companies had to use the mountains was also declared invalid by the Supreme Court. A so-called discretion was denied. The lawyer believes this means that the power companies are currently using the areas illegally. – According to the Supreme Court’s judgment, the wind power companies do not have legal access to the areas. They are using the area illegally and it is punishable under the Criminal Code, says Hurum. He is supported by, among others, Professor Inge Lorange Backer and lawyer Erik Keiserud. Has several hundred million in revenue Roan Vind is owned by Aneo Roan Vind Holding and by Nordic Wind Power. In the distribution sixty/forty percent. Aneo Vind Holding is again owned by Aneo and Stadtwerke München. Aneo estimates that they have annual income in Roan of around NOK 300 million. – The violation of the reindeer owners’ rights to cultural exercise lies in the awarding of the license for the production of renewable energy in Roan, not in the construction or operation of the Roan wind farm, says Stig Tore Laugen in Roan Vind. Stig Tore Laugen in Roan Vind believes that the breach of the reindeer owners’ rights lies in the granting of the concession, not in the construction or operation. Photo: Kirsti Kringstad / news He also points out that it is the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and the state that have granted the license and are responsible for getting a new, valid license in place. The facility in the mountains in Roan consists of 71 turbines and was the largest in Norway when it was completed in 2019. The matter between the state, the developers and the reindeer herders in the area seems deadlocked. Since May, the parties have been in talks and negotiations with national mediator Mats Ruland as help. Not afraid of spoiling negotiations Leader of Nord-Fosen siida is not afraid that the report will spoil something for the climate around the negotiating table. – That this will destroy the possibility of reaching an agreement worries me little, they are running their own race anyway, says Terje Haugen. He believes it is time someone took action to get a review of the legality of the handling of the Fosen case. Leader of Nord-Fosen siida, Terje Haugen, in talks in 2021 in Roan with then oil and energy minister Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap). Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news – We think it is special that you choose to report Roan Vind for this now, especially when there is an ongoing process to find a solution, says Laugen. Økokrim confirms that they have received the report. – A decision has not yet been taken as to whether Økokrim will investigate the conditions in the report, says police prosecutor in Økokrim, Ida Sletsjøe, to news.
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Reindeer owners on Fosen have reported wind power developers to Økokrim – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
