Langanes wind project must undergo environmental review

The Environmental and Natural Resources Appeals Committee has rejected Wpd wind Iceland North ehf.’s request to overturn a decision by the Housing, Construction and Planning Agency, HMS, requiring plans for two wind turbines at Sauðanesháls in Langanesbyggð to undergo an environmental impact assessment, mbl.is reported.

The company plans to build a wind power plant with a capacity of up to 9.9 megawatts to increase electricity supply and support the energy transition in Langanesbyggð.

Two options are being considered. One involves installing two 150-metre turbines with a combined capacity of 9.9 megawatts. The other involves two 180-metre turbines, each with an installed capacity of up to 7 megawatts, although the total capacity would still be limited to 9.9 megawatts.

The Icelandic road administration and the Environment and Energy Agency said the information on potential environmental impacts was sufficient and met the requirements for determining whether an assessment was necessary. The agency also considered the project unlikely to cause significant environmental impacts.

However, the Natural History Institute and the Nature Conservation Agency said the project required an environmental impact assessment. They referred to comments submitted on the developer’s assessment programme for larger wind power plans in the area, citing possible negative effects on habitats and vegetation, birdlife, geological features, views and landscape, protected areas and untouched wilderness.