Illegal Wind Turbines in Norway: An Ecological and Indigenous Conflict

Environmental and Sámi activists are protesting against the continued operation of wind turbines in Norway, two years after a court ruling declared them illegal. This case raises crucial questions about the rights of indigenous peoples and the balance between wind power and the preservation of the traditional Sami way of life in Norway.

Share:

champ eolien en Norvege

Illegal wind turbines in Norway provoke environmental protest. This comes two years after a court ruling declared them illegal, giving hope to Sami reindeer herders. But these 151 turbines continue to operate, leaving us with a feeling of injustice.

The court decision in 2021

In October 2021, the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled that wind turbines built on the Fosen peninsula in western Norway violated the rights of the Sami, an indigenous population whose traditional lands were used for reindeer herding. The decision was seen as a victory for the Sami, but the wind turbine permits were not revoked, leaving the crucial question of their fate unresolved.

The Militant Manifestation

On Wednesday, hundreds of activists, some dressed in traditional Sami costume, blocked Oslo’s main thoroughfare. They set up a lavvo, a traditional Sami tent, to demand the demolition of the wind turbines and the return of the land. Some sat on the ground holding up a banner stating that “The right of indigenous peoples is not optional”.

Call to Action

Gina Gylver, president of the Norwegian branch of the NGO Friends of the Earth, called on Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to act to put an end to this human rights violation. She stressed the need to respect the Norwegian Supreme Court’s decision and proceed with the dismantling of the wind turbines.

Since the court ruling in 2021, Sami activists have been organizing symbolic actions to make their voices heard. These actions, which last several days, have recently received the support of renowned Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who joined the movement in February, on the 500th day since the court ruling.

The Importance of Conflict

The Norwegian government apologized to the Sami herder families and launched a mediation process to find a solution to the conflict. However, he did not react to the recent demonstration…

This dispute is of major importance, as it could set a precedent for other projects planned on the vast territories traditionally used by the Sami in Norway. This indigenous community, with around 100,000 members spread across Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, has long depended on fishing and semi-nomadic reindeer herding for its livelihood.

A Question of Justice and Ecology

Keeping wind turbines in operation on these indigenous lands raises essential questions about the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of their traditional way of life. It is crucial that the Norwegian government takes action to resolve this conflict and ensure respect for Sámi rights, while finding sustainable solutions for the coexistence of wind power and reindeer herding. This case highlights the need to reconcile environmental protection with the rights of indigenous peoples.

A global challenge

Wind turbines in Norway represent much more than just an environmental issue; they are the point of convergence for many issues linked to justice, ecology and the rights of indigenous peoples. The Norwegian government must assume its responsibilities by ensuring a fair resolution to this conflict, which is being closely watched by environmental groups, human rights organizations and the international community. This is not just a national issue, but a global one that highlights the importance of reconciling energy needs with the protection of indigenous rights and the environment.

Environmental and Sámi activists are protesting against the continued operation of wind turbines in Norway, two years after a court ruling declared them illegal. This case raises crucial questions about the rights of indigenous peoples and the balance between wind power and the preservation of the traditional Sami way of life in Norway.

Energy company TGS has won a major high-resolution geophysical imaging contract for offshore wind site characterization in Norway, strengthening its position in this rapidly growing market.
ENGIE begins full operation of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW, four months ahead of schedule, now powering over one million homes in the region.
Tokyo Gas, through TOWII Renewables, a joint venture with EWII, purchases two onshore wind projects developed by Finnish company Puhuri, totalling 74.4 MW, marking its expansion beyond the Danish market.
The European Investment Bank grants EWE AG historic €450mn financing for the installation of 2,600 km of underground power lines and the upgrade of over 1,100 substations in Lower Saxony.
Japan’s Ministry of Industry and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy launch a strategic partnership to develop local offshore wind supply chains and strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness in this energy sector.
Energiekontor AG confirms financial close for the Nartum wind farm, adding 23 megawatts to its owned portfolio and starting the construction phase in the Rotenburg district, Lower Saxony.
Airloom Energy begins construction of a pilot site in Wyoming to test an innovative turbine aimed at enhancing American energy security in the face of anticipated growth in electricity demand.
ACCIONA Energía transfers the San Juan de Marcona wind farm to Luz del Sur S.A.A., a major player in Peru's energy sector, for up to USD 253 million, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
German operator Encavis AG strengthens its portfolio by acquiring two wind farms in Lower Saxony and Saxony, totalling 59 MW, in a transaction with Energiequelle GmbH, thereby expanding its renewable energy assets.
Ocergy officially launches an industrial project aiming to install by 2028 a new-generation floating wind turbine of over 15 MW, in partnership with EnBW, Kyuden Mirai, and TEPCO Renewable Power.
France officially commissions its first floating wind farm, consisting of three turbines with a combined capacity of 25 megawatts, introducing strategic technology in the Mediterranean, vital for national energy goals.
Inaugurated on 20 June, the five-turbine plant of wpd onshore France feeds 18 MW into the grid and unlocks new tax revenue for four Côtes-d’Armor municipalities.
Statkraft refocuses investments on flexible Nordic hydropower and reduces commitments in offshore wind and hydrogen to lower operating costs, amid an uncertain economic environment and pressured profitability.
Suzlon Group receives third consecutive order from AMPIN Energy Transition to supply 170.1 MW of wind turbines for a project in India's Andhra Pradesh state, strengthening their strategic industrial partnership.
The Muir Mhòr floating wind project secures Aberdeenshire's onshore consent, paving the way for the potential production of one gigawatt of electricity, enough to power up to 1.2 million British homes by the early 2030s.
Iberdrola España and Renfe conclude a virtual power purchase agreement for 370 GWh per year for ten years, strengthening the use of renewable energy in Spanish railway transport.
TotalEnergies has been awarded a concession in the North Sea enabling the development of a 1GW offshore wind project, reinforcing its strategic presence in Germany.
With an annual increase of 14%, global offshore wind capacity now reaches 85.2 gigawatts, driven mainly by China, the United Kingdom, and Germany, while another 27.3 gigawatts are currently under construction.
Seabed exploration begins in Jammerland Bay to validate the placement of sixteen turbines and the cable corridor, the first tangible step before construction of the project led by TotalEnergies and European Energy.
RWE and Østermark Entreprenørforretning celebrate advanced construction of the operational building for Denmark's largest offshore wind farm, promising up to 60 permanent local jobs by 2026.