We are on our way into what has become the country’s largest tropical rainforest. Located in the middle of the small settlement of Brokelandsheia in Gjerstad. Just off the E18 east in Agder. All around us we hear the screeching sounds of monkeys and other exotic animals in the trees. Over 40 different fish and animal species live here in a separate ecosystem. There is everything from monkeys and crocodiles to a six meter long anaconda snake. – The animals here require good light and above 25 degrees all year round to thrive. We can never count on that. – Animal welfare comes first, says animal manager Nils Harald Reiersen. Together with his friend Terje Jensen, he realized his boyhood dream of the park 14 years ago. And it has been a success, with audience growth and good profits. Until now. Hundreds of thousands a month The park consists of snake jungle, meerkat desert and areas with poisonous snakes, lizards, monkeys and tropical fish. 40 different animal species and 2,000 tropical trees and plants, which do not thrive in the cold and darkness. One million kilowatt hours (kWh) goes into the year to heat and provide artificial light for the 10 meter high and 1200 square meter building. – To provide enough sunlight, the park is built as a greenhouse with very poor insulation. – Last week it was 15 degrees Celsius outside. Then it cost NOK 40,000 a day in electricity. The tropical park is built as a 12,000 square meter greenhouse and requires enormous amounts of energy. Photo: Erik Wiig Andersen / news Jensen says that hundreds of thousands of electricity are being used every month now. The final bill will probably be a couple of million kroner for 2022. Four times more than in the “normal year” 2019. Considering borrowing money for electricity Terje takes us to some of the most popular animals in the park. The lemurs are playful and seek contact with many visiting children. – Such a large indoor rainforest with free-living exotic animals is unique in this country. But as the situation is now, all investments here are stagnant. If this continues next year, we will have to consider taking out a loan of millions to cover the electricity bills, he says. One of the most popular animals in the park, lemurs are heat-loving animals that require tropical warmth. Photo: Den Lille Dyrehage These days a new heating system based on geothermal energy is being installed in the rainforest at a cost of over NOK three million. It should halve the power consumption. On Thursday, they received close to 200,000 in electricity support from the state, which will go towards both the ENØK project and current electricity expenses. – It compensates a little, but it does not save a hopeless situation. The conditions are still completely unsustainable with today’s prices and uncertainty about the coming months. Because it is still uncertain whether the government will continue electricity support for businesses for the rest of the winter. – We cannot raise prices for families with children significantly, as the grocery industry is now doing, says Nils Harald. The two friends started the park in 2009. Now they are worried about the future, and are considering borrowing money to cover the electricity costs. Photo: Erik Wiig Andersen / news The animal park is also affected The country’s largest family attraction, the Animal Park in Kristiansand, is also feeling the special situation. Although the park has so far operated with a profit, the electricity bill has increased dramatically in the past year. – Overall, we expect an extra bill of between NOK 20 and 24 million only related to increased electricity prices. That’s what Per Arnstein Aamot, managing director, says. Per Arnstein Aamot, managing director of Dyreparken in Kristiansand, says the electricity bill will hit new investments. Photo: Ole Martin Buene / Dyreparken On Thursday morning, electricity support came into the account from the state here as well. Just over NOK 1.3 million, and promises of NOK 2.7 million later if planned ENØK measures are carried out. – This is of course a good help, but does not change the big picture, says Aamot. He believes the situation could affect the park in the longer term. – When disposable surplus falls significantly, it weakens investment power. He adds that fortunately we have owners who see the value of long-term investment. At Dyreparken in Kristiansand, you also experience electricity shocks of up to NOK 24 million in extra electricity bills. Photo: DYREPARKEN – Sad view Energy policy spokesperson in the Progress Party Marius Arion Nilsen believes it is sad that popular public services for children and young people are now affected by deer current. – It is pointed out despairingly and a sad sight that parks such as Den Lille Dyrehage, which have run healthily and built stone upon stone, must consider loans to cover electricity costs. These have always been, and should continue to be, normally priced in Norway, the country with a power surplus. Nilsen believes the government has a “wait and see” attitude, and says a maximum price of 50 øre should be introduced until prices are stabilised. Storting representative Gro-Anita Mykjåland sits on the energy and environment committee for the Center Party. She believes that the FRP has in reality not set aside money for its promises. Storting representative Gro-Anita Mykjåland says the park will probably get a clarification on this support within a short time Photo: Svein Sundsdal / news – In contrast to the FRP, the government must find actual money and solutions within what is justifiable financially. She further says that she fully understands that it is a demanding and uncertain situation for Den Lille Dyrehage and other businesses. When it comes to the uncertainty about the rest of the winter, she believes that fixed price agreements can be a solution for many, but believes that the power companies should go further than they have done so far. The spring tamarin is a heat-loving species that cannot tolerate the temperature in the park being lowered to save electricity. Photo: Den Lille Dyrehage
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Uses 40,000 a day to keep animals warm – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
