Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The green transition in Norway involves the development of renewable energy sources with a focus on wind power. However, this pursuit often leads to conflicts between wind energy development and the Sami people's right to self-determination. As wind farms are often constructed on traditional Sami land, tensions arise regarding land use, cultural heritage, and environmental impacts.

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the realignments of discourses surrounding the Fosen wind power project in Norway following a groundbreaking Supreme Court ruling and its impacts on Sami rights. This is achieved by employing the "What's the Problem Represented to Be" approach in a discourse analysis. The thesis uncovers how various actors justify or oppose the project, revealing significant realignments in discourses after the Supreme Court ruling. Dominant discourses often prioritise renewable energy over Sami rights, with the Norwegian government and wind companies emphasising co-existence and focusing on economic efficiency. In contrast, the Sami community stresses the threat to their cultural heritage and expresses dissatisfaction with proposed solutions, challenging existing power dynamics and dominant knowledge regimes.

By illuminating these discursive realignments, this thesis contributes to the understanding of the complex relationships between Indigenous peoples' rights and environmental policy within the context of renewable energy development projects. Given that these projects are integral to sustainability transitions, the Fosen case can serve as an example of how the rights of Indigenous peoples are commonly overlooked in sustainability projects. Ultimately, the conflicting representations of the issue highlight the continuous conflicts and difficulties in striking a balance between economic growth and environmental and cultural preservation.