The Norwegian government has selected 12 onshore wind projects to bring forward in licensing.
The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) is tasked with prioritising licensing cases in Finnmark.
NVE set a deadline of 22 April to submit plans for new power production in the country and received 26 projects.
“Of the 26 reports that were received, we are now taking 12 projects to the next step in the licensing process,” said Director General of Water Resources and Energy Kjetil Lund.
“Even though we are now more than halving the list, this is still far more projects than it is realistic to grant a licence for.
“This first screening of projects has been done to reduce the burden on all parties.”
The next step in the process is for 11 wind power reports to be sent for a first round of consultation in September.
In addition, there is an application for upgrading and expansion of Alta wind power plant.
The projects have been assessed and reviewed by the NVE on the basis of criteria that includes compliance with Finnmark County Council’s regional plan for wind power and evidence of documentation of participation from the reindeer husbandry.
Following the consultation, the NVE will prepare a study programme, which describes the topics to be investigated for each individual project.
The NVE plans for these programmes to be ready early next year, so that all studies can be carried out during 2025.
The actual licence applications can only be prepared when this work is completed.
The consultation this autumn is the first of two rounds of talks, with the next taking place after the impact assessments have been completed and the licence applications submitted.
The NVE is planning a further reduction in the number of projects before the second consultation phase.