NVE rejects Grøna hydropower plant due to reindeer and nature concerns

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has denied a concession application for the Grøna hydropower plant in the Nea-Nidelv watercourse. The project, proposed by Grøna Kraft AS, was intended to produce 10.5 GWh of electricity annually with an estimated construction cost of 56.6 million NOK.

NVE concluded that the negative impacts on reindeer husbandry and biodiversity outweigh the benefits of power production. The plant was planned for the Gåebrien Sijte area, which serves as critical seasonal grazing, calving, and gathering grounds for reindeer. NVE noted that the reindeer husbandry district is already under significant pressure from existing land-use conflicts and that this development would further reduce the quality of essential grazing areas.

Additionally, the directorate highlighted risks to high-value natural habitats, including flood forests, peatlands, and brook ravine environments. Many of these natural types are red-listed, and NVE stated that the environmental impact would be permanent in a watercourse that is already heavily affected by previous developments.