Salmon and wind power

The aim of the CEDREN research centre is for Norway to produce more renewable energy, without this being at the expense of local communities. This should make salmon happy. According to SINTEF scientist Atle Harby, building wind farms in Norway will mean greater use of hydropower when the wind is not blowing.

This will lead to sudden changes in the water level in Norwegian rivers. The CEDREN scientists are looking into how this can be done as gently as possible for the salmon and other life-forms in rivers. In addition to studying problems related to hydropower, CEDREN will also help to identify wind-turbine sites that are compatible with both birdlife and human communities.

The centre is led by SINTEF, NTNU and NINA, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.