– Our first reaction was that we were speechless and shocked. We were promised by prominent people in the government parties that we should have this by summer. We are very disappointed. That’s what farmer Sigmund Rangen says. He has up to NOK 1 million in increased costs on his farm due to high electricity prices. Ranken thought he would receive the same power support he has received since September through the cold winter months. Farmer Sigmund Rangen tries to keep costs down on the farm to the best of his ability. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news Over the New Year, on the other hand, there will be less to collect for the farmers who operate large businesses. Until September, the ceiling was 20,000 kWt in electricity support for farmers. The Center Party increased the support to 60,000 kWh, which was to last until the New Year. But following agreement on the electricity subsidy scheme in the revised state budget, the ceiling on electricity subsidy is lowered to 20,000 kWt. Everything over 20,000 kWh is therefore full price. In August, the farmer had almost NOK 90,000 in extra costs related to electricity. Now he fears that January and February will bring five to ten blue degrees outside. At the same time, his pigs need between 20 and 25 degrees inside. – We cannot save electricity. We depend on the animals to be well. This will mean that the entire profit disappears, and we may have to borrow money to run the farm. It will be completely wrong, says Rangen. – The disappointment must be postponed. Håkon Varhaug, who is the farmer’s team leader at Varhaug, says that this affects the farmers who produce a lot. For example, farmers with combination farming with both vegetables and animals. Farmers’ union leader Håkon Varhaug calls for predictability for farmers. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news – In the worst case they have to reduce food production. Can they keep the cooler running, or do they have to turn it off? We do not know. The uncertainty is very great, and that is the last thing we need, he says. According to Varhaug, parliamentary representative Geir Pollestad (Sp) has guaranteed in writing that they would be allowed to keep the support of 60,000 kWt until July 2023. Pollestad says that he understands why this is important for the farmers. – That is why we got the increased limit for agriculture in place. I’m not going to promise anything, but we’re still working and I hope we can find a solution, he says. Pollestad admits that he may have been somewhat unclear about whether the farmers would be allowed to keep the electricity subsidy until the new year. Geir Pollestad believes the farmers must postpone the disappointment until the new year. Photo: Odin Omland / news – If we get to 1 January and it goes down to 20,000 kWh, I’ll lay down as flat as that, but until further notice we roll up our sleeves and work to find a solution. He says the disappointment must be postponed. – If we don’t make it, I fully understand the disappointment. Agriculture calls for predictability Svein Høyland (Sp) is deputy mayor in Hå municipality. He is dissatisfied with the solution. – This was something we dealt with a lot and gave clear messages about several times this autumn, and it was a huge relief when we received the message about a new ceiling of 60,000 kilowatt hours. Then the hope was that it would be predictable throughout the season. It is disappointing when you think something is in order, but then it turns around, he says. When the news that the ceiling for electricity support for agriculture was to return to 20,000 kilowatt hours, Høyland gave notice immediately. – I called Geir Pollestad to discuss it with him, and to express that we must find a solution to this, says Varhaug. He points out that agriculture calls for predictability. – It is food production, and it is extremely important. We have known that the ceiling of 60,000 kWt on paper would apply until the New Year. But we got the impression that it was just a formality, and that it should continue to be at that level for the rest of the season.
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Farmers despair over change in electricity support – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
