Statkraft’s boss believes that demolishing the wind farms will be very unfortunate and warns against a power deficit. – But we are the ones who have to make up for the damage, says Christian Rynning-Tønnesen.
The CEO of the state-owned energy giant presented record results on Thursday. But it is the dispute over Fosen that everyone wants to talk about.
Statkraft developed the wind farms in Trøndelag and is the majority owner of Storheia, the one power plant covered by the conflict with the reindeer owners.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the wind turbines that stand where the reindeer graze in winter have been erected in violation of the Sami’s indigenous rights.
Get updated – the matter explained in one minute:
Over 500 days after the judgment was handed down, nothing has happened.
– Do you realize that it triggers actions?
– Yes, that is understandable. But these are difficult questions. And there are reasons why these processes take time, says Christian Rynning-Tønnesen (63) to VG.
On Thursday afternoon, Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) apologized on behalf of the government for human rights violations against the reindeer owners. But how the conflict will be resolved is still unclear, and the minister emphasized that they “do not rule out any solutions”. Later, the Prime Minister also met the activists and the press:
The State Administration will investigate measures that can remedy the harmful effects that the power development at Fosen has on the Sami’s reindeer husbandry.
The reindeer owners point out that these questions have already been thoroughly explained over several thousand pages through many years of legal proceedings.
The Statkraft boss does not agree that the state wants a rematch.
– When the Supreme Court comes to the conclusion that it is not good enough, we have to go through a new round to find the additional elements that have not been taken into account previously.
– What can Statkraft do to mitigate the damaging effects?
– We can stop the windmills for periods of time. We can refrain from plowing the roads, so that we do not hinder the reindeer’s movement. We can offer alternative grazing areas.
– So it’s not just the reindeer owners who have to bear the costs?
– No. It is us as the developer who must remedy the damage in such a way that they can continue their reindeer herding in a good way. We are the ones who have to take mitigating measures, but we have to agree with them on what it should be.
Win-win
Rynning-Tønnesen says there are important interests on both sides:
– One is reindeer husbandry and local culture. The second is the need for renewable energy. I still think it should be a goal to bring about an interaction.
The 63-year-old heads Europe’s largest supplier of renewable energy.
– Norway has to develop more wind power on land and at sea, if we are to become climate neutral. We must obtain energy in a different way than burning fossil fuels.
– Do you fear a political decision to demolish the wind farms at Fosen?
– I think that would be very unfortunate. But it’s not fear, it’s more concern that new projects stall and become very difficult.
– Fundamentally important
Rynning-Tønnesen emphasizes that it is not just about Fosen.
– It is probably so much about finding a principled solution that can be used elsewhere. One third of Norway is affected by possible grazing rights, so it is a very important question of principle.
– What are the consequences if you have to demolish wind turbines at Fosen?
– We will incur a cost for dismantling and lose income. Tax revenues for municipalities and the state will cease to exist. Land owners will no longer receive ground rent.
Rynning-Tønnesen adds that Statkraft is of such a size that the company will withstand it. Statkraft today has a value of over NOK 300 billion.
The other wind farm covered by the Fosen conflict is Roan, which Statkraft sold in 2021 to TrønderEnergi and Stadtwerke München.
– Not a definitive answer
Today, Aneo is the largest owner and operator of Roan Vind. The company has recorded proposals for the investigation process following the Supreme Court verdict.
– We are not sitting on any definitive answer. It’s about finding good solutions that all parties can live with, says communications director at Aneo Stig Tore Laugen.
Until the state changes the conditions as a result of the judgement, the turbines run as before.
– We hope that changes will be made to the concession which will lead to the reindeer owners’ rights to cultural practice being safeguarded, at the same time that we can continue wind production as today, says Laugen.
He recalls that the wind farms were decided to be developed when central Norway had a deficit in electricity. The prices were very high, and it was relevant to install mobile gas power plants.
More expensive without wind
– If we have to shut down the turbines, we risk a power deficit again. This will result in higher electricity bills for businesses and households in central Norway.
Laugen states that the wind power plants at Fosen deliver enough power to cover the annual consumption of a city the size of Trondheim.
– If wind power fails, we will quickly find that we do not have enough electricity for the business establishments we want or for the electrification of the continental shelf outside central Norway.
Aneo owns eight wind farms in Norway other than Roan and Fosen. Six of them are in reindeer grazing areas.
– We have agreements with the reindeer owners for all these wind farms. We have always had a good dialogue with the reindeer owners and are dependent on finding good solutions with the reindeer herding, says the communications director.
