Sámi Reindeer Husbandry Leadership Shocked Over Extent of Windpower Development Plans
Wind power, power lines and hydroelectric power development in the years ahead may lead to new huge encroachments in the Sámi reindeer herding areas in Norway. Around 260 such projects are now being examined in the offices of the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), according to a story in today’s NRK Sami Radio.
The leader of the Sami reindeer herders Association, Nils Henrik Sara was shocked, and was quoted as saying:
I had never thought that there were so many power projects underway in areas within reindeer husbandry…For us, it only means one thing, namely, less pasture for reindeer. Loss of pastures is the biggest challenge reindeer husbandry is facing.
The survey includes about 20 power lines, 40 wind power stations, 180 smaller power stations and about 20 major power stations that require a license. The construction of power lines and wind power stations will lead to the large encroachments in nature that probably are most damaging for reindeer herding in the Sámi areas.
Plans in the Sámi area include a new 350 km power line from Balsfjord in Troms to Hammerfest, a 160-kilometer power line from Ofoten to Balsfjord in Nordland and Troms, a 173-kilometer power line from Roan to Trollheimen in Sør-Trøndelag, and a 150 kilometer power line in a coordinated network in North Fosen in North Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag.
In addition to these and several other power lines, containing the a number of wind farm in Finnmark, Troms, Nordland and Trøndelag. Among the largest are Norkyn, Skjøtningberg and Rákkucearro in Finnmark, Troms in Red Mountain, Mountain Repair and Sleneset in Nordland, and several major projects on the Fosen peninsula in Trøndelag.
In fact, there are so many projects on the table that NVE are quoted as saying that they cannot possible fulfil their obligations of consultation as expected by the Sami Rights Commitee, indeed that fulfilling these requirements will be “totally impossible for the government sector”, including NVE, according to another story in NRK Nordnytt.
Recent Comments