Petroleum and Energy Minister Ola Borten Moe said anappeal lodged by indigenous Sami, or Laplander,reindeer herders along theroute had been settled, and the 420kV transmission line can now move ahead.

The power line, which is estimated to cost $500m to$600m to build, is intended to serve the needs of Norway’s Arctic Circle energyindustries as well as fostering new wind generation.

An earlier decision by Norway’s Water Resources andEnergy Directorate allowing the line was appealed against by the Sami and otherinterests.