The industry in Grenland has specific projects that will remove over 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in the area. For comparison, all road traffic in Norway emits 8.7 million tonnes annually, according to 2021 figures from Statistics Norway. To do that, large amounts of power are needed. But the power may not arrive in time. Before Christmas, Statnett recommended that new power from Norway’s first offshore wind project, “Sørlige Nordsjø 2”, be added to Kvinesdal in Agder. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland is now also taking this as a basis. The industry in Greenland is disappointed. – We need to be able to bring more electricity here, and this would provide electricity quickly, says managing director at Herøya industrial park, Sverre Gotaas. When the electricity enters another part of the country, it must be transported further so that the industry in Grenland can use it. But according to Statnett’s plans, the construction of the line network will only take place after 2030. – It will be too late for us. We must have this around 2030, says Gotaas. – Some players have already moved because they don’t get electricity, managing director at Herøya industrial park, Sverre Gotaas. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news Climate reduction projects in danger This means that several of the climate reduction projects on Herøya may fail, Gotaas confirms. – If we don’t get the electricity we need, several of these projects that need electricity to cut CO2 emissions will be at risk, says Gotaas. The offshore wind project “Sørlige Nordsjø 2” is the only concrete project the industrial park knows will be developed, and which will be announced this year. The next round of tendering for land for offshore wind is planned for 2025. – We know that there is talk of wind power projects that are close and that are more relevant to put here, but it is at the thinking stage, says Gotaas. 2,500 new jobs Among new major projects waiting to be established at Herøya industrial park is Vianode’s billion-dollar investment in a new battery factory. If all the projects come to fruition, the industrial area could gain 2,500 new jobs. But without electricity, there will be a brake on both climate cuts and billion-dollar investments. – Then I’m afraid we’re shooting ourselves in the foot, says Gotaas. The industry is now hoping that the Minister of Oil and Energy will push to speed up the development of the line network. Most important climate measures may be scrapped SV politician Ådne Naper fears that the power from new offshore wind will not reach industry in Greenland until closer to 2040. – This means that we will have to scrap part of the most important climate measures in Norwegian industry located in Greenland. Or we have to have power in another way, says Naper. He is the leader of the main committee for climate, area and planning in Vestfold and Telemark county council. – It is serious if the authorities do not have a plan for how we are going to realize the biggest climate measures in Norwegian mainland industry, says Ådne Naper (SV), head of the main committee for climate, land and planning in Vestfold and Telemark county municipality. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news This is not only about new jobs and climate cuts, but also about how the oil nation Norway will be restructured, he points out. Naper hopes that the oil and energy minister will challenge Statnett’s recommendation to lay the power cable to Agder. Promises faster processing Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) expects Statnett to consider which grid reinforcements are necessary for Norway to be able to build up new green industries, electrify society and achieve its climate goals. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasizes that the government’s clear goal is that abundant access to renewable energy should continue to be a competitive advantage for Norwegian industry. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB – Ensuring a good network that meets the industry’s need for network reinforcements is an important task for the government, he says. Statnett must apply for a license from the energy authorities for any strengthening of the network between Agder and Grenland. The government has ensured that applications for this will be processed more quickly in NVE. Therefore, they recommend Kvinesdal Kvinesdal as a connection point is a recommendation, Statnett clarifies. It is based on how offshore wind affects the power system, costs, proximity and long-term development of offshore wind. – Kvinesdal is already a strong point in the transmission network, and offshore wind can be connected without major network measures, says Statnett’s head of communications, Martha Hagerup Nilson. She does not ignore the fact that future solutions for offshore wind in Grenland may also be relevant. Statnett has already started work on strengthening the network between Southern Norway and Eastern Norway. This often takes 7–12 years, but both Statnett and the authorities are working to shorten the time for the process, says Nilson. – More industry should be located where the power is produced
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Can’t wait until 2030 for electricity for million cuts in CO₂ – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
