On Monday, Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) spoke before the Storting. Here he explains what the government intends to do in the Fosen case.

– The government’s message is clear and unambiguous: We must follow up on the Supreme Court’s decision to protect reindeer herding rights in Fosen, Aasland began his speech at the Storting.

Aasland, on the other hand, is clear that, in the government’s view, there is no legal basis for removing the wind turbines at Fosen or denying further operation until new permits are obtained.

Aasland pointed out, among other things, that the reindeer herders and the Sami Parliament believe that the Supreme Court decision – which stated that the concession granted to the two wind turbines in Fosen violated the rights of the Sami people – cannot be read any other way than that the wind turbines should be destroyed.

– The Ministry’s assessment that there is no legal basis for such an interpretation. Nor does the ruling mean that the concessions for wind power in Storheia and Roan have expired. Until there is a new decision, the wind power plant is operated according to the original permit. Therefore, wind power companies are not doing anything illegal, said Aasland.

Background: This is the Fosen conflict

The Ministry of Oil and Energy is now working hard to come up with a new decision.

– Among other things, the ministry needs up-to-date knowledge of the actual situation in Fosen and possible mitigation measures and their effects before new decisions are made. It will still take time, said Aasland.

He said a solution had to be found that protected reindeer herders’ rights in Fosen, but would not rule out any alternatives.

– Some workable solutions in the short term may be relevant, while other measures may be more long term. My hope is a good and trusting dialogue with the reindeer herding in Fosen. It’s important to uncover opportunities, consequences and needs in the short and long term, says Aasland.

After days of demonstrations outside government offices, the government chose to lie down and apologize to Fosen Sámi for the windmills in Trøndelag. The Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that the windmills violate human rights, as they prevent Sami reindeer herders from practicing their culture.

Protesters believed the windmill was incompatible with deer farming in the area, and demanded that it be dismantled. The government has previously said it does not rule out finding a solution to the conflict, but has so far not provided a concrete plan.

(TV2/NTB)