The question of wind power has put a veil over the summer idyll in the tiny village of Sløvåg in Gulen at the far end of Sogn. One of the world’s largest companies, General Electric (GE), will place Norway’s largest wind turbine in the area. The offshore wind turbine GE Haliade-X will be 285 meters high and will be located on land. The plan is for the turbine to be located on Wergeland Gruppa’s industrial area, and for it to be tested and certified for the open market. To be in operation until 2050 The mood has not improved after some neighbors have been called and offered a million kroner. Alternatively, they can get half a million kroner and 20,000 kilowatts of free electricity a year. If they do not sign the agreement before 1 October, they will not receive compensation. The plan is for the turbine to be in operation until 2050. NORWAY’S HIGHEST: Here we see a test turbine for offshore wind in Amsterdam. A similar one that will be 285 meters high can be built in Sløvåg in Gulen. The plan is for it to remain there until 2050. Photo: Multiconsult/Wergeland Gruppa – Completely unethical One of those who reacts most strongly to the procedure is Jarle Halsvik. The 69-year-old wants to have the huge offshore wind turbine directly in his field of vision towards the evening sun 900 meters from his house. He has lived here all his life. – They try to buy goodwill with the help of money. It is completely unethical, he says. Halsvik has declined the offer. – Can you imagine living in such a noise? We can’t sleep at night, he explains. HERE: Here at Wergeland Gruppa’s industrial area, General Electric (GE) in Sløvåg in Gulen will build a 285 meter high offshore wind turbine. Photo: Bård Siem / news Critical professor Professor emeritus of political science, Harald Baldersheim, believes the procedure is unethical and contributes to corrupting the local democratic process. – I can understand that it can be tempting to get such an offer, but I think it is an attempt to stagnate or limit local politics. This is bribing private individuals with private compensation. It will affect local politics and the local debates if part of the accidental property has already been bought and paid out of the debate, he says. CRITICAL: Professor emeritus Harald Baldersheim believes it is unethical to offer neighbors money on the condition that they sign a contract. That will make it almost impossible for them to criticize the project afterwards, he believes. Photo: Erlend Blaalid Oldeide / news Baldersheim also points out that the cash payments may lead to the municipal council not placing such strict guidelines on the wind turbine as they would otherwise. – Creates an eerie atmosphere Gulen mayor Hallvard Oppedal (Sp) doesn’t understand the procedure either. – Linking money to you signing a contract contributes to creating unrest and an eerie atmosphere in the village. It works against its purpose and I am strongly against it, says the mayor. If GE really wanted those who experience inconvenience with the wind turbine to receive compensation, they would not have proceeded in this way, Oppedal believes. – Then everyone would receive compensation regardless of whether you sign a letter in advance or not, he says. The matter will soon come up for political consideration in the Gulen municipal council. Oppedal is unsure what to say. – We want a thorough process where everyone will have plenty of time to have their say. As of now, I have not decided, he says. BAD ATMOSPHERE: Gulen mayor Hallvard Oppedal (Sp) believes that General Electric (GE)’s approach is creating unease and a bad atmosphere in the village. Photo: Arne Stubhaug / news Rejects criticism General Electric declined to be interviewed, but in an e-mail to news the company rejects the criticism. GE points out that they have chosen an area for the turbine that will “affect the neighbors as little as possible”. And that it is “not unusual in such processes” to give compensation to the nearest neighbours. Furthermore, the company points out that the offer contains “absolutely no requirements or obligations related to what the neighbors may say or do”. It is also pointed out that turbines with higher output are needed to make the development of offshore wind economically profitable. The wind turbine alone will be able to supply electricity to the entire industrial area in Sløvåg, as well as to 3–4,000 households. – Not illegal General Electric receives partial support from law professor Johan Giertsen. He says that this type of agreement is not unusual and that they do not contravene the law. – In this case, the neighbors must decide whether they want to accept compensation or whether they want to say no to the offer, he says. If the neighbors refuse to sign, they can later go to the court system and demand compensation. – The neighbors feel that GE’s procedure is unethical. Do you understand that? – Yes, I understand that they can experience it that way. But it is uncertain whether the neighbors will get more in return by saying no to the offer, says Giertsen. He advises them to seek help from a lawyer.
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Neighbors are offered NOK 1 million to accept a 285 meter high offshore wind turbine on land in Gulen – news Vestland
