Hydropower municipalities have their own organization (LVK). Wind power municipalities also (LNVK). Now the mayor of Narvik municipality, Rune Edvardsen (Ap), wants to establish a similar organisation. Norwegian Nuclear Power Municipalities. With that, he launches himself and three other mayors as the country’s first “nuclear power mayors”. – This means that we will obtain information and knowledge. As well as evaluating different locations to find out how appropriate it is, he says to news. Do you want nuclear power in your municipality? Yes No Don’t know Show result 40 municipalities have shown interest Earlier this year the municipalities of Aure, Heim, Vardø and Narvik signed an agreement with Norsk Kjernekraft. The aim is to look at the possibilities surrounding one or more small nuclear power plants in the areas. SPREAD: Vardø in the far north of Finnmark, Narvik in Nordland, Heim in Trøndelag and Aure in Møre and Romsdal have signed an agreement with Norsk Kjernekraft. Edvardsen has no doubt that nuclear power is a possibility that must be considered. He points out that Norway needs more energy at the same time that we must have less emissions of CO₂. – Upgrading hydropower and energy efficiency can provide a good deal. But it is probably not sufficient. – Here, potentially modern nuclear power can become an important solution. The Narvik mayor emphasizes that this does not mean that Narvik municipality will get nuclear power, but that they should look at the possibilities. Rune Edvardsen goes into the breach for Norwegian Nuclear Municipalities. Photo: Petter Strøm / news Jonny Hesthammer, managing director and chairman of Norsk Kjernekraft AS, says that the interest is not only great from the four municipalities with an agreement. A total of 40 municipalities have made contact and shown an interest in the topic. – Municipalities have a great need for power in the coming years. We see a desperate need to do something about the power situation, he says to news. Was skeptical at the start Narvik municipality is not alone in its need for more power. Hanne-Berit Brekken, mayor of Aure, tells about the same. – We had a referendum in 2019 regarding wind power. Between 70 and 80 percent said no. But that does not mean that Aure does not need more power. – As mayor, I then have to look for other solutions. Hanne-Berit Brekken says Aure municipality, like many other municipalities, sees a great need for more power. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Brekken says that she looked at several alternatives, but that nuclear power gradually became more and more interesting. – At the start I was skeptical, but then I started looking at new technology. Acquired new knowledge. – The municipal board agreed that we should gain more knowledge. We must have strength, and then we must look at the possibilities. More positive than the report The government, in contrast to the aforementioned mayors, is more lukewarm about nuclear power. – Nuclear power is not a solution for Norway now, but Norway should continuously follow international developments in nuclear power technology and safety, writes the government’s energy commission in the report “More of everything – faster”. SOLUTION? Nuclear power is in the wind in several municipalities in Norway. Can it solve the challenges around energy demand? Graphics: Egil Ursin On Tuesday, Arve Ulriksen from the commission meets for a debate on nuclear power during Arendal Week. There he will meet, among others, Jonny Hesthammer of Norsk Kjernekraft. Ulriksen, who is also managing director of Mo Industripark, says he is more positive than what may appear in the report. – There were some in the minority, including the undersigned, who were more positive about looking at this. He emphasizes that he does not believe in large-scale nuclear power plants, but that smaller plants are a possibility that should be looked at more closely. – That could be a possible solution. Arve Ulriksen says small-scale nuclear power plants can be an interesting possibility. Photo: press photo More of everything – faster – What do you think of the initiative from Rune Edvardsen? – I’m a little afraid that I might spoil the development of other renewable energy a little. If enough people think that nuclear power is suddenly the big solution for Norway, then I don’t agree with that, Ulriksen replies and emphasizes: – The name of the report from the Energy Commission is, as you know, “More of everything – faster”. Hesthammer in Norsk Kjernekraft is naturally very happy about the municipalities’ involvement. He believes that opinion about nuclear power is changing. – The counterarguments have changed over time. It started with it being dangerous, but now it’s more about waste management, time aspects, costs and more, he says to news. – What we have to do is bring out the good results from extensive reports carried out by the EU and the UN. They show that it is the safest source of energy we have.
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Rune Edvardsen will establish an interest organization for nuclear power municipalities – news Nordland
