Left-Green Movement opposes wind farm and sea-cage aquaculture in northeast Iceland

The Left-Green Movement’s district congress for Norðaustur constituency, covering northeast Iceland, met on 18 October and approved resolutions opposing two major projects in the region: the proposed Hnotasteinn wind farm on Hólaheiði, near Melrakkaslétta, and plans for sea-cage aquaculture in Seyðisfjörður. Kaffið first reported the story, which could affect local planning decisions in the area.

The district congress stated that projects should not move out of the national planning framework’s waiting category into development due to political pressure or short-term interests. It also expressed full support for Left-Green representatives in the Múlaþing municipality and the organisation VÁ in their opposition to sea-cage aquaculture in Seyðisfjörður.

There is reported disagreement within the Norðurþing municipal council over the Hnotasteinn wind farm plans. The project would involve the construction of 34 to 40 turbines, each 150 to 200 metres tall, with a projected output of 190 to 200 megawatts on Hólaheiði east of Kópasker.

It is not yet known whether any formal decisions or permits have been issued for the Hnotasteinn wind farm or aquaculture plans in Seyðisfjörður. The specific developer behind Hnotasteinn has not been named in the available sources.

Background

Seyðisfjörður is a town at the inner end of its namesake fjord in the Eastern Region of Iceland, forming part of the Múlaþing municipality. Múlaþing, established from a merger of four local municipalities in 2020, is the second largest in Iceland by area.

TopicsHnotasteinnLeft-Green MovementMúlaþingSeyðisfjörðurwind farm