The Norwegian government has turned down a scheme to build a hydropower plant on the Ovre Otta River in central Norway. The decision is based on environmental considerations.
The ruling may yet be overturned. Although all three parties in the government coalition are opposed to it, Ovre Otta may receive authorization from the national parliament which will hear an appeal against the decision.
The conflict between generating capacity and the environment, raised by projects like Ovre Otta, is a potential source of social division in Norway. Hydropower schemes are generally welcomed by Norwegian communities because they are a source of both income and employment.
Supporters of the scheme highlight its contribution to Norway’s energy supply. The Federation of Norwegian Process Industries argues that abandoning the scheme at a time when demand for electricity is rising will reinforce power shortages. Environmentalists within Norway see the preservation of the landscape as an issue of national importance.