The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has granted permission to Eviny and Norsk V ind to build the Moldalsknuten wind farm in Rogaland. This is the first concession for a new wind farm, after several years of standstill in wind power processing. The project is planned in an area with mining and existing wind power.
“Moldalsknuten is a small facility, but this decision is still an important milestone. It has been nine years since NVE last granted a license for a new wind farm, and this is the first wind farm to receive a license after the municipal veto right was adopted in 2023,” says Kjetil Lund, Director of Water Resources and Energy at NVE.
NVE received the application for the development in August 2025, and together with the municipality, a hearing and public meeting were held in September of the same year. Sokndal municipality has processed the case in several rounds and adopted the final zoning regulation for the wind farm on 19 October 2026. NVE's licensing decision comes two days after the municipality's final processing.
“Both the developer, the municipality, and the NVE have worked effectively on this case. This has made it possible for us to grant a license just two days after the municipality completed its processing,” added Lund.
The applicant is Moldalsknuten Vindkraft AS, which is owned by Eviny and Norsk Vind. They have been granted permission to build eight wind turbines of up to 200 m. The concession also includes a control building, a 1 km long power line and a new access road from the existing road to the Tellenes wind farm.
The total installed capacity is up to 40 MW and the power plant can produce up to 92.8 GWh/y. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 5800 households. The concession is valid for 30 years.
In 2015, a concession was granted for a wind farm on approximately the same area, but this permit lapsed because it was not put into operation by the deadline. The wind farm that is now being licensed is planned in the same area, between the Tellenes wind farm and the Titania mines.
“The Moldalsknuten wind farm is planned in an area that is already characterised by wind power and mining. There is also little housing nearby. We therefore believe that the overall disadvantages are acceptable. At the same time, we are setting several requirements to reduce the effects on birds and coastal heather,” stated Lund.
NVE requires, among other things, that the concessionaire manage at least 1.5 m2 of coastal heathland near the concession area. The goal is to improve the quality of the habitat for sensitive species. The concessionaire must also shield selected potential nesting sites from human activity.
In addition, bat surveys will be conducted both before and after the development. The results may lead to NVE requiring further measures.
Before construction can begin, the concessionaire must prepare a detailed plan that shows how the facility will be built and operated with the least possible harm to the environment and landscape. The plan must be prepared in contact with Sokndal Municipality, landowners, and other licensees, and must be approved by NVE before construction work can begin.
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