Norway to open protected rivers to hydropower plants

Green politicians describe plan as a historic attack on Norwegian nature'

The Norwegian parliament has voted to open up protected rivers to hydropower plants, prompting fury from conservation groups who fear for the fate of fish and other wildlife.

The bill allows power plants bigger than 1MW to be built in protected waterways if the societal benefit is significant" and the environmental consequences acceptable". It was voted through on Thursday as part of measures to improve flood and landslide protection.