– A partial and rapid start-up is the goal we are now working intensively towards. Several pieces must fall into place, and the board must also approve such a solution. We believe there are good opportunities for success. That’s what CEO Jan Enno Bicker of Rec Solar Norway says in a press release. – I cannot guarantee that this will be the final outcome. On 18 August last year, it became known that the company would close down for up to 26 weeks due to high electricity prices. Over 200 employees made redundant In September, production was put on hold, and since then over 200 employees have been made redundant. Brick expects that a final clarification relating to a partial start-up will take place before the leave period for the employees expires on 26 March. He specifies that several pieces must fall into place, and that the board must approve such a solution. Believes in good news Chief shop steward in Rec Solar Andreas Hadland says to news before the meeting that he does not believe that notice of closure will be given. – I believe in good news. We never had a discussion about closure. We have been working for the start-up since the first day we were made redundant, he says. Thursday at 1 p.m. a general meeting has been called with CEO Jan Enno Bicker. Chief union representative Andreas Hadland does not fear that there will be a notice of closure at the general meeting. Photo: TOM NICOLAI KOLSTAD / news Redundancies extended Rec Solar Norway has around 250 employees in Kristiansand and Porsgrunn. On Tuesday, the company sent out a message to its employees that the layoffs will be extended for three weeks. This was confirmed by union representative Andreas Hadland to the newspaper Fædrelandsvennen. – I interpret the extension of layoffs as draining time, says Hadland to news on Thursday. The employer can lay off employees for a period of up to 26 weeks during an 18-month period. For Rec Solar, this limit is the beginning of March. This is Rec Solar: Rec Solar produces silicon for use in solar cells. The solar cell manufacturer Rec was founded in Norway in 1996. In 2013, Rec was split into Rec Solar and Rec Silicon. In autumn 2021, Rec Solar Norway was acquired by Indian Reliance Industries. Behind this company stands Asia’s richest man, Indian Mukesh Ambani. In dialogue about electricity support Before the shutdown, the managing director of Rec Solar, Jan Enno Bicker, was in dialogue with the authorities about electricity support. On 22 August, Minister for Business Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) visited Rec Solar in Kristiansand. There he participated in a closed meeting with management, shop stewards and employees. – It is important that the companies operate at their own expense and risk. If we shift this balance too much and the taxpayers have to stand up when it becomes too difficult, over time it will weaken the productivity and value creation of business in the country, Vestre told news after the meeting. On 4 January this year, the matter was also raised in the Storting’s Question Time. Then the Minister of Business and Industry stated that it is not the job of the Minister of Business, Industry or the Government to explain to Norwegian private business owners what agreements they should have. Vestre also added that they have explained all the measures they are taking that will have an effect over time. Deficit from before Fædrelandsvennen has previously written that Rec Solar Norway had a deficit of almost NOK 2.4 billion in 2021, which, according to the newspaper, was four times as much as the income. The reason for the high costs in 2021 and 2022 must be increased electricity prices.
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Rec Solar works for partial start-up – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
