Published 11.01.2023

The placement of farm wind turbines in one of Norway's most vulnerable bird areas is provoking strong reactions. At Orre and Reve in Jæren, surrounded by important nature reserves and bird protection areas, Reve Kompost AS plans to erect wind turbines—despite the fact that the area hosts one of the country’s richest bird populations, including several red-listed species. This is met with strong opposition from both local communities and environmentalists, who fear that these small turbine projects will remain overlooked in the system but could have significant consequences for biodiversity.

While large wind power developments often receive the most attention and must go through lengthy permitting processes, we are now seeing a rise in smaller wind power projects that fall under the EIA regulations' 10 MW threshold. These smaller projects are exempt from the need for an environmental impact assessment and can more easily go unnoticed. As a result, small wind projects often only appear in municipal records, where they can be quickly processed and approved—before anyone has a chance to react. One example of this is Reve Kompost AS in Klepp municipality, where the County Governor of Rogaland has issued a statement on the matter. We have submitted a request for access to more details and will update the case as soon as new information becomes available.

In its statement regarding the plans from Reve Kompost AS, the County Governor of Rogaland strongly advises against the placement of farm wind turbines in this area. The County Governor points out that the area around Reve and Orre is one of Norway's richest bird regions. It is home to an important bird area (IBA – Important Bird Area) with a high density of birds. Orrevatnet Nature Reserve and Jærstrendene Landscape Protection Area surround the area on each side, and both are protected RAMSAR areas. Additionally, the region is a crucial migratory route for birds, including several red-listed species, which fly in large numbers through the narrow strip of land between Orrevatnet and the sea. The County Governor concludes that this area is likely one of the most conflict-ridden locations in Rogaland for the placement of wind turbines.

Just a stone’s throw away is the Revtangen Ornithological Station, run by the Stavanger Museum, and the area around Orrevatnet and Revtangen is among the most bird-rich coastal and wetland areas in the country. In the spring and autumn, large numbers of birds can be seen migrating through, and it is also an important area for raptors and birds that overwinter. This is one of the most biodiverse locations in Norway, and here, Reve Kompost AS plans to set up its "farm wind turbines." Critics have already given these plans the nickname "compost grinders for birds."

Technical spesifications

The project involves three wind turbines of the type Solid SWP25-16TV20. These turbines have a hub height of 18 meters and a total height of 26 meters. Each turbine has a sweep area of 200 m², resulting in a total sweep area of 600 m². The County Governor has provided a thorough statement pointing out several critical conflict areas.

This project is far from unique, and similar cases are emerging in several municipalities across the country. Therefore, it is crucial for local communities to keep an eye on municipal records and case lists. It may be wise to contact the municipality, the municipal executive officer, or the mayor to request access to new cases. If more such projects arise, it is essential to catch them early and get involved locally. Feel free to talk to people in the local community, inform environmental organizations, or get in touch with us at the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association. It is important to mobilize engagement early in the process – often, it is the local residents who are the first to learn about such plans.

We have not yet seen that the application from Reve Kompost AS has been processed by the municipality, but we are closely monitoring the case and will provide updates as soon as we have new information. For us at the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association, it is completely unacceptable that wind turbines are being considered in such an important bird area as this, or in other vulnerable natural areas. Reve Kompost AS should immediately cancel these plans – the opposition will be strong.

• Reve Kompost AS (nettside)
• Reve Kompost AS (Facebook)
• Reve Kompost AS (Brønnøysundregistrene)
• Reve Kompost (kart og turbintype)
• Journalpost om saken hos Klepp kommune (Statsforvaltarens uttalelse)
• Statsforvaltarens uttalelse (PDF)
• Revtangen Ornitologiske Stasjon (nettside)