Norway: NVE sets impact studies for expanding the Guleslettene wind farm and a new 260 MW wind farm in Bremanger

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) announced on Friday, 6 November, that it has set the impact assessment programme for two wind power projects in Bremanger municipality, Vestland county. They are the densification of the existing Guleslettene wind farm, sought by Guleslettene Vindkraft AS, which Energiwatch reports is owned by Eviny, and a new farm, Myklebust- og Ramsskredfjellet, proposed by Zephyr AS.

The figures. Guleslettene Vindkraft wants to add up to 14 turbines, which would lift the farm's capacity from about 197 MW to around 260 MW, with total output estimated at 875 GWh a year, according to NVE. The extra output would cover the annual consumption of about 11,000 households. Zephyr plans 30 to 40 turbines up to 195 metres tall across three areas, Myklebustfjellet, Ramsskredfjellet and Handkletua, covering about 14.9 km² in total. The farm would have up to 260 MW and up to 750 GWh a year, equal to the consumption of about 47,000 households.

What must be studied. “Many of the comments we received in the consultations concern biodiversity, especially the consequences for birds and the overall burden on the area. Many are also concerned about the effects on neighbours, such as noise, light and shadow flicker,” said Anette Ødegård, head of section at NVE. NVE and the municipality worked together on the requirements: Bremanger approved the planning programmes on 22 October and NVE set the study programmes on 26 October.

Background. Guleslettene, in Bremanger and Kinn municipalities, has 47 turbines and currently produces about 700 GWh a year; Eviny bought it from BlackRock in 2024 together with the Tellenes farm in Rogaland, Power Technology reported.

What next. The developers have two years to submit a licence application with an impact assessment to NVE and zoning plan proposals to the municipality. If Bremanger decides to proceed, the applications will be put out for public consultation, with information meetings.

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