From the top of the 106 meter high tower of Yara’s complete fertilizer factory on Herøya in Porsgrunn, Skjalg Aasland can see towards Siljan, Vestfold and Skagerrak, where there are plans for solar and wind farms. He is head of Development and Construction Management in Herøya industrial park and enjoy the view over one of Norway’s largest industrial parks. But he is desperately looking for more current. 30 companies are queuing up to establish themselves here, and then huge amounts of power are needed. – For us, access to more power is extremely important. We have a lot of plans and need to know that we can get a new supply of power. Skjalg Aasland is head of Development and Building Management in Herøya industrial park. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news Now he can see solutions on the horizon. Off the coast of Færder municipality, Norwegian Sea Wind wants to establish a wind farm. And if he turns his gaze inland, there may also be wind turbines in Siljan municipality. – I am very happy to hear about the plans in Siljan. We need more energy production, and the fact that it happens locally is very good. In addition, we need development of the line network. Aasland fears that activity in industry and the rest of the business world may be reduced if more renewable power is not developed. Cooking in a social medium In Opdalen in Siljan, a wind and solar plant has been proposed. The inhabitants fear the encroachment of nature and it boils over in social media. Many fear that the windmills will detract from one of Siljan’s most used recreational areas. “That people want to raze the area forever is hair-raising”, writes one on the Facebook page “You know you’re from Siljan when”. Kristian Bråthen lives in Siljan and thinks it is sad that nature can be destroyed. Photo: Berit Heggholmen / news Kristian Bråthen thinks the plans are thoughtless. – There had to be a referendum first, then they could rather assess whether we went for a settlement of this project. He thinks there are many with him who think it is over-driving. – They don’t listen to the people. Can see the wind farm Ordførar in Siljan, Kjell Sølverød (SP), points towards the mountain Hovde from the farm where he lives. – There we will see the towers from a windmill. And behind there we will see the propeller of two more. The minimum distance in relation to sound is 900 metres, so it is well within here. The next municipal council meeting in Siljan will decide whether there will be a majority to sort out the consequences of a solar and wind farm (hybrid park) on the mountain in Opdalen. – Here there can be 14 windmills and a good number of solar panels within an area that makes up three percent of the area in Siljan municipality, says Sølverød. Kjell Sølverød is the mayor of Siljan. He believes the project is important for Grenland. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news Important for the industry The mayor believes the project is important for the region and the industry in Grenland, which needs more electricity. But NOK 20 million extra in the municipal coffers every year also means something for the economy in the municipality. Sølverød is positive about a consequence assessment. But not sure if the residents of the municipality want it. – I am not at all sure of that. I think more people are involved now than before, with the high electricity prices we’ve had. But there are of course many nuances when it comes to wind turbines. Kjell Sølverød points out that the government is very much in favor, and that the framework conditions for municipalities that want to participate in this are much better than just five years ago. Skepticism in own ranks Siljan is a stone’s throw from the hometown of Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland. In the autumn, the Minister proposed to Municipality-Norway and called for investment in wind power. But in Siljan, Aasland faces skepticism from his own ranks. Dag Jøran Myrvang is group leader for the Labor Party in the municipal council. He believes the case is full of conflicts and says it is important that the citizens of Siljan know what is about to happen. Dag Jøran Myrvang is group leader for the Labor Party in the municipal council. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news – When the case was presented to the chairmanship, no residents of Siljan knew about it. He acknowledges that the industry in Grenland needs too much power to carry out the green shift. But he will prioritize the development of the line network in order to transport the power to where it will be used. – Wind power is one of the most conflict-ridden things we have, and then we politicians must be confident in the decisions we make. It is therefore important to have an open process, so that people do not feel cheated afterwards. Myrvang says it is a matter of major encroachment on nature in an area of six square kilometres.
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Desperate search for more electricity – here they cheer for wind farm – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
