Should we build more wind turbines on Norwegian soil? The question divides the people. And he is not alone in that. The wind has turned In a recent survey carried out by the University of Bergen, 37 per cent of those asked answered that they are positive about expanding wind power on land. Last year, only 30 percent were positive. – The reason for the change is probably that many people feel that we need more electricity, and see wind power on land as an easy way to get it, says Kristin Guldbrandsen Frøysa, subject director at UiB. There is still a majority against onshore wind power. 40 percent say they are negative. That is seven percentage points fewer than last year. The survey was carried out in the first half of the summer, and Frøysa believes that the tendency has strengthened since then. 1002 people were asked. – But at the same time, it is worth noting that there is great opposition to the project in the local area. There are strong feelings about this. The government is happy with the research The government would like to have wind power on land, but is dependent on the goodwill of the municipalities. – It is positive that the mood is about to turn, says Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap). He believes that much of the resistance has come from a lack of dialogue with neighbors and municipalities. – We are in a serious energy situation now. Onshore wind power has been part of the solution. But this government is busy playing with the locals. Aasland believes that the high power prices can lead to more people becoming positive about new developments. – I think so, and I hope so. WE need more wind power on land. Positive for offshore wind The survey from UiB finds that there are large regional differences. People in Western Norway, Trøndelag and the north are most skeptical about wind power. Here, around 30 percent say that they are positive about onshore wind power. In the rest of the country, more than 40 percent are positive. Norwegians are still far more positive about wind power on water than on land. 63 percent are positive about offshore wind turbines, only 15 percent are negative. – I think many people see offshore wind as an answer for the future. We expect that people will continue to be positive about offshore wind power, says Kristin Guldbrandsen Frøysa. Kristin Guldbrandsen Frøysa, subject director for energy at the University of Bergen. When it comes to wind power, at sea, people in Northern Norway point out that they are the most negative. Here, just over half of the respondents answered that they were supporters of this type of power development.
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