On Wednesday, the politicians in the County Council in Vestfold and Telemark decided to ask the Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) to investigate the possibility of an offshore wind farm in the outer Oslofjord. Several county politicians have been critical of an investigation into the area in question. They are not alone in that. In a row Today, the married couple Anne and Ingar Gjesmo have a view directly towards the sea gap from the family cabin at Rakke, close to Stavern. Strolling down to the beach, they look towards Svenner lighthouse, which rises 40 meters above sea level. Otherwise, there are mostly islets and rocky outcrops in sight. If the offshore wind farm proposed along the coast becomes a reality, this picture will be significantly changed. Because 76 sea turbines at a height of more than 200 meters will undoubtedly have an impact on the view the family has been able to enjoy from the cabin since the 50s. Anne and Ingar Gjesmo are not very positive about 76 wind turbines in the sea gap outside the family cabin at Stavern. Photo: Roald Marker / news The couple are not alone in frowning a little at the proposal. Today, tens of thousands of people live and holiday on the Vestfold coast. The proposed park will be located approximately 11 km from Stavern, 16 km from Larvik and 6 km from the previously mentioned Svenner lighthouse. Affects many On good weather days, the turbines can be seen from the end of the world to Jomfruland. The married couple is not very enthusiastic about a possible new “view”. – If you ask me, we’d prefer not to, says Ingar Gjesmo. – This affects an outdoor area for many people, he points out. Do you think it makes sense to build 76 wind turbines in the outer Oslofjord to ensure enough power for industry? Great need for power The background for the proposal is the enormous need for more power for the industry in the coming years. Norsk Havvind has proposed five fields along the coast. One of these is therefore outside Stavern, more precisely the “Skaga field”. Bamble or Porsgrunn are intended as landing points for the current. The “Skaga field” is one of several proposals for an offshore wind farm. Photo: ILLUSTRASJON / news No illustrations have yet been made to show what it might look like. The park will be able to produce 1,500 megawatts if all the turbines are installed. This corresponds to approximately 4 percent of Norway’s total annual production. The industrial park on Herøya, one of Norway’s largest of its kind, alone needs so much electricity to accommodate all the projects that are planned. By comparison, the city of Skien, with just over 53,000 inhabitants, uses 87 megawatts. Lots of wind – As a nation, we are running into a power deficit. The deficit seems to appear as early as 2027, says Tor Otto Lohne. Thor Otto Lohne, chairman of Norsk havvind. Photo: Roald Marker / news He is chairman of Norsk havvind, and this week has presented the plans to the county politicians in Vestfold and Telemark. There are different interests that stand against each other in the case. On the one hand, you will find the natural interests for coastal and birdlife along the coast. On the other side are industry and those who need more electricity in the future. Lohne makes no secret of the fact that the turbines will be visible. – Perhaps that is part of what you have to accept if you are to have renewable power, he believes. – Why not put it somewhere with more wind and fewer people? – It actually blows quite well there. The advantage is that you can take out significant costs for cabling, and that you enter it directly where the consumption is, explains Lohne. Divided opinions Back at Rakke, cabin owner Ingar Gjesmo believes there must be better alternatives elsewhere along the coast. – Ideally, I would probably have it in Western Norway. It is very windy there and there are more deserted places than the most densely populated area here, he concludes.
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Plans offshore wind farm with almost 80 wind turbines off Vestfold – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
