Storheia and Roan Wind Farms Case Study

Supreme Court Ruling on Indigenous Rights

In October 2021, Norway’s supreme court ruled that the Storheia and Roan wind farms, located in Sámi reindeer herders’ territories, violated Samis’ rights under international conventions. The court further invalidated the operating permits for the 151 wind turbines.

Agreement with Sámi Herders

In March 2024, Norway reached an agreement with Sámi reindeer herders after a 3-year dispute over the construction of Europe’s largest onshore wind farm. It allows the country's largest wind farm to stay in operation. Norway's Supreme Court had ruled back in 2021 that the Storheia and Roan wind farms in Fosen in central Norway violated Sámi rights under international conventions - prompting huge protests over the protracted process to implement the ruling.

The dispute centered on the fact that the partially state-owned wind farm on the Fosen peninsula was built on land that the Sámi people have used for centuries to raise reindeer and thus contravened Indigenous rights.

Terms of the New Agreement

The new agreement includes the procurement of additional winter grazing rights and veto right for any plans to extend the wind farm's operating licenses past the year 2045. "This means that the licensees cannot apply for an extension or renewal of the concession without consent from the North Fosen herders," the ministry said.

Under the agreement, the wind farm will remain in operation but includes provisions to protect the Indigenous culture. The settlement incorporates an allocation of the energy produced by the wind farm for local purposes, a new area for reindeer winter grazing and a grant of 5 million kroner ($473,000) to strengthen Sámi culture.