Nature management

Protection of biodiversity through environmentally adapted operation of the power plants is an important part of Statkraft's environmental work.

Comprehensive measures in and around river systems and plants

The many environmental activities in connection with river systems include river adaptations, adding suitable spawning and growth gravel, replenishing fish stocks, building fish ladders and improving weirs and minimise the effect of migration barriers. In addition to measures imposed by the license terms, Statkraft implements voluntary measures, often in cooperation with local stakeholders.

Statkraft operates seven cultivation facilities, and is a major producer of fish for stock replenishing in Norway. In 2009, we planted 957 000 salmon, sea trout, char and brown trout in Norway and Sweden. In addition, almost 2 million fish eggs were planted. Statkraft is also engaged in extensive monitoring of fish stocks, carries out fish biology studies and operates two of Norway's three salmon gene banks.

Through the Elvelangs project, which will run from 2007 to 2012, Statkraft uses NOK 15 million to improve conditions for fish and outdoor activities in several of the Norwegian river systems where Statkraft is the water flow regulator. The project consists of more than 50 different measures.

Examples of activities in 2009 which illustrate the scope of nature management measures:

• Follow-up of studies in 20 Norwegian salmon river systems

• Benthic fauna studies in five rivers with power plant gates

• Reindeer tagging

• Revegetation (sowing) of landfills in connection with plants

• Assessment of environment and reputational risk in connection with hydropower plants in all of Statkraft's Norwegian, German and Swedish river systems

• Opinions for water area and measure plans in five water regions in Norway, as well as three in Sweden and Germany in connection with the EU's water framework directive

• A research and fish planting project in lake Bjornesfjorden on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, which has run for several years, was concluded following the documentation of sustainable conditions for trout, 40 years after the spawning grounds were destroyed when the lake was emptied

(Altadammen)

Increased sea eagle activity on Smøla in spite of killed sea eagles

In 2009, seven sea eagles were killed in assumed collisions with wind turbines on Smøla. In total, 28 sea eagles have been killed since the wind farm started operations in 2002. However, recorded observations made by NINA (the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research) show that the number of sea eagle territories in use on Smøla has increased following the completion of the wind farm, and that the centre of gravity for the breeding has moved away from the wind farm.

No case against Norway

The Norwegian Ornithology Society brought a case against Norway through BirdLife International before the Bern Convention for breaching the purposes of the convention. An investigative inspection took place at Smøla in June, where all affected parties were present together with an expert nominated by the Bern Convention and representatives from the convention's secretariat. Based on the report from the inspection, the Bern Convention decided not to open a case against Norway, but it has submitted a set of recommendations to the Norwegian authorities.

Statkraft is engaged in extensive R&D activities at the wind farm on Smøla in connection with sea eagles and measures to reduce the risk of collisions with rotor blades and towers.