The Norwegian Environmental Protection Association demands rejection of the Holmafjellet and Faurefjellet wind power plants in Bjerkreim municipality. It is even admitted in the application that Hubro may be significantly affected. The fact that Europe's largest owl, which is critically endangered, travels in the area is in itself good enough reason for the application to be unconditionally rejected. These 140 meter high industrial facilities are economically unprofitable and will not provide any electricity when consumption is at its highest, which are cold, windless days in winter. On the other hand, the new power line will lead to increased wastage on these days! Development will mean that ordinary people must provide additional subsidies in the form of higher grid rent for the development of the power grid.
The industrial plant will also require a total of 14.7 km of internal roads in the natural area and at least 5 km of power lines. On top of this, a possible 132 kV line between Faurefjellet and Holmafjellet wind power plant will be approximately 4.6 km long and thus further destroy the landscape.
Birds of prey are often soarers and are therefore generally much more vulnerable to wind turbine constructions, this is confirmed by a number of researchers, among others. a. (Hosmer 1994, Barrios 2004).
There are several endangered birds of prey in the planning area. Great horned owl (red-listed NT) nests within the area, and special emphasis must be placed on the fact that our largest owl (red-listed EN) is also established in or near the planning area. Furthermore, there are also nesting harriers and good numbers of grouse in parts of the planning area. A certain migration of birds of prey also passes through the area. At the edge of the planning area, another threatened species also nests, the goshawk (red-listed NT). Both peregrine falcons and sea eagles are established as breeding birds in the rest of the area of influence and it must be assumed, as with the hubbro, that they hunt in the area. Storks nest here, while nesting ospreys, peregrine falcons, goshawks, white-tailed eagles, buzzards and golden eagles all use the area to a greater or lesser extent. Furthermore, the planning area is centrally located in relation to food-seeking young sea eagles and golden eagles. In the event of uncertainty as to the extent to which the hub bridge in the planning area must lead, consideration is given decisive weight. The fact that we have a critically endangered species that obviously uses the area for hunting is in itself good enough reason for the application to be unconditionally rejected. In the situation the population is in, the large-scale wind industry development could cause extinction.
Poor social economy
After 10 years, it is the sales value of wind industry facilities that is used as the basis for property tax. Then the income of the host municipality is dramatically reduced. But the owners of the measures often anticipate full property tax for 20 years. Local authorities should note that the Conservative Party and FrP have signaled that they will follow up on NHO's wish to remove the scheme with tax on works. What other than destroyed nature and well-being is the municipality left with if they get approval for this in the next few years? A limitation or reduction in property tax is therefore a real danger for the municipality. It is stated in the license application that "The taxation for the facility will increase the municipality's operating budget by around 4.6 % (6 million per year) and provide a basis for a higher level of operation". In reality, there is considerable uncertainty about this.
It is approx. 150 hydropower plants that are more than 40 years old that can/should be upgraded instead of building wind power plants. Wind power provides the least energy and the fewest jobs for the investment. For investment in hydropower, 2 out of 3 kroner are left in Norway - for wind power only 1 out of 4 -. By industrializing nature with industrial facilities up to 150 meters high, you will destroy the tourism industry in addition to destroying the local population's recreational opportunities. Wind industry facilities have now become so common that they do NOT attract tourists. Upgrading hydropower plants with new turbines does not involve any interference with nature - no noise or any of the others - and the major negative consequences that wind power plants cause.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has therefore submitted a demand to NVE that Zephyr AS receive an unconditional rejection of its license application for Holmafjellet and correspondingly that Hybridtech receive a rejection at the Faurefjellet wind industry plant in Bjerkreim municipality.
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