The Wind Rein project began in 2005 and was merged with the Kraft Rein project run by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in 2009. The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research ( NINA ), the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate in Setesdal, and the reindeer herders within Fosen Vannøy, Sørøy, Olggut Corgas and Rákkonjárga reindeer grazing districts are also important partners. In short, the projects investigated the effects of human activity, wind power developments and power lines on both semi-domestic and wild reindeer. The main focus has been on land use and avoidance, but also animal behavior has been studied. The Project manager is Jonathan E. Colman , while Sindre Eftestøl , Diress Alemu and Kjetil Flydal are project workers. In recent years, the project had a total average workforce of approx. 1.9 FTEs.
The project has been supported by both power developers and management authorities. In particular, the following contributors have supported the project: The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE ), The Norwegian Reindeer Husbandry Administration, The Norwegian Reindeer Herders' Association ( NRL ), Agder Energi, Fred Olsen Renewables, Narvik Energi, Nordkraft Vind, SAE Vind, Statkraft, Statnett, Statoil Statsskog, Troms Kraft, Varanger Kraft and Vindkraft Nord.
The main results have so far shown that it is the human activity level associated with construction work that largely determines the negative effects from the infrustructure, and not the installations themselves. The Wind Rein and Kraft Rein project published a joint final report in April 2014, and this is available below. The final report is in Norwegian, but the summary is also in English. A complete list of publications relevant to the project is also available below.