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 National Mediation Service in Oslo, with the leadership of the Ministry of Energy present.
– 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 together. The agreement secures the rights of reindeer husbandry in Nord-Fosen, both now and in the future. The period from when the Supreme Court ruling was handed down in October 2021 until today has been demanding, especially for the reindeer owners, whom we hold in great respect. They have dealt with uncertainty on a daily basis, yet remained constructive. Their contribution has been crucial in enabling us to arrive at a solution that everyone can stand behind. Finally, everyone can look ahead, says CEO Roger Beite Færestrand of Roan Vind.
For Roan Vind, the agreement means that the production of renewable energy at Roan will continue as it does today, and that the company will pay Nord-Fosen siida seven million kroner in annual compensation throughout the concession period, until 2043. If a new concession is to be applied for after 2043, this can only happen if Nord-Fosen siida gives consent for the concession application to be submitted.
In the same way as in the agreement that was reached for South-Fosen, a process is being set in motion in which the state will find additional grazing land for winter pasture outside the Fosen reindeer herding district. The Ministry of Energy has already initiated an assessment process to identify possible areas as a result of the agreement in South-Fosen. The assessment is being expanded to also include areas for Nord-Fosen. The aim is for an area to be made available to Nord-Fosen siida in the winter of 2026/2027.
The agreement now reached means, according to the parties and the Ministry of Energy, that there is no violation of Article 27 of the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Based on the agreement entered into between the parties, the Ministry of Energy believes there is no basis for initiating a reversal of the concession decision for Roan wind power plant. The ministry is therefore discontinuing further handling of the reversal case.
