An agreement has been reached in the mediation between Nord-Fosen siida and Roan Vind DA. The parties have entered into a contract that safeguards the reindeer herders' right to cultural activities, both in the short and long term. The production of renewable energy continues as it does today.
On Wednesday afternoon, the agreement between Nord-Fosen siida and Roan Vind was signed by the parties at the State Mediator's office in Oslo, with the leadership of the Ministry of Energy in attendance.
– We would like to express our deep gratitude to everyone who has contributed to Nord-Fosen siida, the state, and Roan Vind reaching an agreement. The agreement ensures the rights of the reindeer herding in Nord-Fosen, both now and in the future. The period from the Supreme Court decision in October 2021 until today has been challenging, especially for the reindeer herders, for whom we have great respect. They have managed the uncertainty on a daily basis, yet remained constructive. Their contribution has been crucial to achieving a solution that everyone supports. Finally, everyone can look forward, says General Manager Roger Beite Færestrand at Roan Vind.
For Roan Vind, the agreement means that the production of renewable energy at Roan continues as it does today, and the company will pay Nord-Fosen siida seven million kroner in annual compensation throughout the entire concession period, until 2043. If a new concession is to be requested after 2043, it can only happen if Nord-Fosen siida consents to the concession application being submitted.
Similar to the agreement made for Sør-Fosen in December, a process is established whereby the state will find additional land for winter grazing outside the Fosen reindeer grazing district. The Ministry of Energy has already initiated a study process to identify potential areas following the agreement on Sør-Fosen. The study is being expanded to also include areas for Nord-Fosen. The aim is for an area to be available for Nord-Fosen siida by the winter of 2026/2027.
The agreement now reached implies, according to the assessment of the parties and the Ministry of Energy, that there is no violation of Article 27 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Based on the agreement between the parties, the Ministry of Energy believes there is no basis for initiating a reversal of the concession decision for the Roan wind power plant. The ministry therefore halts further processing of the reversal case.
