– Rec Solar is an important company that contributes to the green shift, says Industry Minister Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) after a closed meeting with management, union representatives and employees in Kristiansand. But the minister did not bring any rescue package to the company. – It is important that the companies operate at their own expense and risk. The background for the planned production shutdown at Rec Solar Norway is, among other things, high electricity prices. The news of a possible shutdown came on Thursday, and the following day a layoff notice was sent to the employees. A total of 250 jobs at the factories in Kristiansand and Porsgrunn. The factory produces solar energy systems for homes, businesses and utilities. Rec Solar Norway has a total of 250 employees in Kristiansand and Porsgrunn. Photo: Idrak Abbasov / news Shuts down for 26 weeks At first there was talk that there could either be a temporary halt or that production could be shut down completely. Production has now been halted for 26 weeks. According to Fædrelandsvennen, Rec Solar Norway had a deficit of almost NOK 2.4 billion in 2021. The managing director of Rec Solar Jan Enno Bicker told news that the electricity bill for July was NOK 60 million. Was offered a fixed price agreement for electricity On Sunday, Fædrelandsvennen wrote that this spring Rec Solar Norway was offered favorable fixed price agreements for electricity from both Agder Energi and Statkraft. According to the newspaper, the Indian ownership turned it down. The offer of fixed price agreements must have come on the initiative of shop stewards in Industri Energi. Hope everyone can get back to work. Minister of Business and Industry Vestre thinks it is regrettable that layoff notices have been issued to the employees at Rec Solar. – I hope they can be withdrawn and that all employees can return to work. They produce a product that the world needs, he says.
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