– We’d rather put on more clothes, says mayor of Sandefjord, Bjørn Ole Gleditsch. Unlike many other municipalities, the municipality has no fixed electricity contract. With today’s prices, the electricity bill will therefore be high. The mayor says that it has been profitable to be in the spot market in the past, but it is no longer so. – Now we risk cuts in the service offer. We must reduce electricity costs, says Gleditsch. CUTTING EXPENDITURE: Every extra kroner per kW/h gives Sandefjord an additional expenditure of 23–24 million – We must save on electricity, says mayor Bjørn Ole Gleditsch. Photo: Hege Therese Holtung The high electricity price means that the municipality expects NOK 150 million in increased expenses this year. It could be more if winter electricity prices are even higher than today. The municipality has therefore initiated several cost-saving measures. – One of the measures is to lower the indoor temperature in public buildings to 19 degrees. COOLER CLASSROOMS: Schools are among public buildings in Sandefjord that have reduced indoor temperatures. Here Mosserød school. Photo: Kathrine Krømke / news Nursing homes are spared Nursing homes and institutions with patient care are spared. In other public buildings, heat must be saved. The total building stock in the municipality amounts to over 300,000 square metres. Then you can save a lot by reducing the heat indoors. – I think most people understand that in such a situation as we are in, says the Sandefjord mayor. – Can lose concentration The measure is met with understanding. – The electricity bill has increased incredibly much and many people have to save on electricity. That also applies to the municipality, says Amanda Kilde Jevnaker (15). She is a student at Bugården secondary school and deputy leader of the youth council in the municipality. – It can be uncomfortable for students to sit for long periods if it gets cold. Some may lose concentration, but 19 degrees is also manageable, says Jevnaker. SAVE POWER: Sandefjord municipality will save power by e.g. to reduce indoor temperatures, buy in solar systems, install energy-saving showers in changing rooms and introduce LED street lights. Photo: kathrine krømke / news – Tough for the municipalities In Denmark, the government has decided that the indoor temperature must be lowered to 19 degrees in all public buildings. It is also being discussed in several municipalities in Norway. – We have considered it. In the first instance, it may become relevant in sports halls, says Horten mayor Are Karlsen. Gunn Marit Helgesen is chairman of the Municipal Sector’s interest organization (KS). She says that increased costs are challenging for many municipalities. – We get feedback from the municipalities that it is extremely difficult, she says. Gunn Marit Helgesen, chairman of KS Photo: Artur do Carmo / news Helgesen points out that the municipalities have just been through a pandemic that has not been fully compensated. The electricity crisis and increased costs come on top of this. Asking for electricity support for the municipalities Increased electricity costs are only part of the cost picture for the municipalities. In addition, there will be increased salary expenses and construction costs. The government must compensate for this by giving the municipalities electricity support, believes the mayor of Sandefjord. – It is difficult to get the budget to go up. If the government does not compensate for the increased costs, it will affect most people, says Gleditsch. The mayor of Horten also believes that there should be compensation for increased electricity costs to the municipalities. POWER SUPPORT: Horten mayor Are Karlsen wants power support for both municipalities and businesses. – There are many who are struggling, he says. Photo: John-Andre Samuelsen / news Gets an answer in the state budget news has asked the government whether the municipalities will receive electricity support, but is referred to the state budget that will be presented in October. Ole Gustav Narud (Sp) is state secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Districts. He writes this to news: – I understand that it can be challenging to budget in such uncertain times as we are in now. The government will present its proposal for the state budget for 2023 on 6 October.
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– It can become uncomfortable for students to sit for long periods of time – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
