Indigenous Communities File Human Rights Complaint Against Statkraft Under Norwegian Transparency Law

## Indigenous Communities Challenge Statkraft Over Human Rights Obligations Indigenous communities have filed a formal complaint in Norway against Statkraft, Europe's largest renewable energy producer, under Norway's Transparency Act, according to a statement issued by transnational justice initiative ProDESC in August 2026. The complaint, filed in Mexico on 18 August 2026, tests the scope and enforceability of Norway's human rights due diligence legislation as it applies to a state-owned energy company's activities on indigenous lands. The Transparency Act, which came into force in 2022, requires large Norwegian enterprises to conduct and publish due diligence assessments of their operations and supply chains with respect to fundamental human rights and decent working conditions. ProDESC, a Mexican civil society organisation specialising in transnational justice, is supporting the indigenous communities in bringing the case, framing it as a significant test of whether Norwegian law can hold domestic energy companies accountable for their international operations. ### Significance for the Energy and Maritime Sectors While the complaint is directed at Statkraft's land-based renewable energy activities, the case carries notable implications for the broader energy industry — including offshore wind developers and maritime energy infrastructure operators who increasingly operate in or adjacent to indigenous and coastal community territories. As the offshore wind sector expands rapidly into new geographies, including areas with indigenous land and maritime rights, the legal precedent set by this complaint could influence how energy companies — and their maritime supply chain partners — are required to conduct human rights due diligence. The case also signals growing international scrutiny of European renewable energy companies, whose green credentials are increasingly being examined not only on environmental grounds but also through the lens of social and indigenous rights. ### Background Statkraft, which is wholly owned by the Norwegian state, operates hydropower, wind, and solar assets across multiple continents. The company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable energy transition. The complaint, however, alleges that its operations have proceeded without adequate consultation with or consent from affected indigenous communities. Neither Statkraft nor Norwegian authorities had issued a public response to the complaint at the time of publication. The outcome of this case is expected to be closely watched by legal experts, ESG practitioners, and energy sector stakeholders as a bellwether for the practical reach of national transparency and due diligence laws in a globalised industry. *Source: PR Newswire / ProDESC*