Norway’s Ministry of Oil and Energy has been attacked for dragging out plans to reduce or remove wind power turbines from the grazing land of the Indigenous Sami population more than two years after they were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.
Talks between the Ministry and the Sami Parliament broke down after the Ministry insisted on more studies instead of concrete action.
President of the Sami Parliament, Silje Karine Muotka said she had delivered “several proposals but we are not being heard”.
Ms Muotka (pictured) said the disagreement was mostly over a new report that the Ministry wanted to compile on how the huge wind turbines disturbed reindeer grazing, and whether wind power generation and grazing could co-exist.
“We don’t think that’s necessary,” Ms Muotka said.
“The Ministry is engaging in more delaying tactics and efforts to lessen the impact of the Supreme Court decision.”
Minister for Oil and Energy, Terje Aasland said he had apologised for human rights violations against Sami reindeer herders but still wanted “more knowledge” about whether grazing and turbines could co-exist.
Ms Muotka fears that the Ministry is mounting a new effort to keep the turbines operating.
“If there’s to be yet another report compiled on the issue it’s most important that it outlines how the current and ongoing human rights violations can be ended, and how reindeer grazing can be ensured,” Ms Muotka said.
Oslo, 11 May 2023
