The Norwegian government has given final approval to Statnett’s controversial plans for building a 420kV power line along and across the scenic Hardangerfjord in Western Norway.
The much-debated plan had been opposed by local authorities as well as environmental groups, but the Government’s final approval made on Friday, cannot be appealed.
The new power line will become an important part of the National Grid, and is seen as crucial to provide the city of Bergen and surroundings with enough capacity to provide a stable power supply. Last winter in particular, the area came very close to power outings.
- The power situation for the population in the Bergen region is not acceptable, and the building of the new line is necessary. We have made extensive surveys of alternative solutions, including routing it through other areas, incluing sub sea cables, but none of the alternatives would provide us with sufficient improvement, says Oil and Energy Minister Terje Riis-Larsen.
However, representatives for the local administration, the tourism industry and environmental groups, stated Friday that the fight to prevent the huge power line, with masts up to 45 metres in height from ruining the scenic landscape along the Hardanger Fjord, will continue.
Mayor Mona Hellesnes of Ulvik says to NRK that she for one will chain herself to others at the construction site in an attempt to block the line.
The plans allso split the three-party coalition government, with the Socialist Left Party (SV) opposing the plans. However, in the end SV conceeded defeat and voted for the plan.
