The municipality of Sveio sør in Vestland is one of the municipalities that has received high electricity costs. And with lower temperatures in the future, it is expected that electricity prices will make new steps upwards. Analysts have suggested up to NOK 20 in the most expensive hours in southern Norway. To save money, Sveio municipality has turned down the temperature at the town hall by two degrees to 19 degrees. But due to the large windows in the municipal council hall, it is often even colder there when the room has been empty for a while. Several municipalities do as Sveio does. Both Etne and Bergen municipality in Vestland have all delayed the temperature in public buildings. The politicians in the Storting must also slow down the temperature. The same happens with the temperature at Norwegian train stations. In Sveio, the councilor has purchased blankets so that both staff and visitors can keep warm at the town hall. During the last chairman’s meeting, the politicians got to use the warm blanket, writes the newspaper Vestavind, which first mentioned this case. Mayor Linn Therese Erve (Ap) was among those who took the blanket. – The room was a little colder than it used to be. And then it was good to have the blanket, says the mayor to news. Was told to dress better She says the meeting was good, and that the temperature was not so low that it was a danger to democracy. – No, by no means, says the mayor. Erve believes that society has been used to low electricity prices over time, but that higher electricity prices now force measures to be taken. – Turning down the temperature is a good saving measure. All the politicians have been told to dress better for the meeting, and it is well received, she says. Håkon Skimmeland (Ap) sits by the large window in the municipal council hall, and had to put on the blanket. Photo: Thomas Vallestad Drageset / Vestavind Purchased fleece blanket on the hall Constituent councilor in Sveio municipality, Ingunn Toft, says that she has bought seven fleece blankets. At a very small cost. – They were half price and cost NOK 85. Pledda is “fluffy” and good and was useful in the political meeting, she says. The blankets have been purchased for use at the town hall, so that both guests and politicians can use them. – Especially people who come from outside, and who are used to higher temperatures in buildings, can use extra blankets, she says. Fixed price for electricity So far this year, Sveio municipality has 5 million in extra electricity expenses compared to 2021. Despite the fact that half of the electricity is fixed price. This agreement expires at New Year’s and will cause the municipality greater expenses. The municipality is located in price area N02, which has seen price records several times this year. Price areas In Norway, the grid is divided into five price areas: South-East Norway (NO1) South-West Norway (NO2) Central Norway (NO3) Northern Norway (NO4) Western Norway (NO5) The hope is that the short-term savings measure will save the municipality several hundred thousand kroner. – It is important that we as a municipality lead by example, and try to save electricity where we can, says Toft. She adds that some schools, care centers or doctor’s offices have had lower indoor temperatures. – No one should freeze at work. But we have to think about it and get dressed, she says. According to the councillor, they have also implemented major measures, such as re-insulating the town hall. No clear boundaries Bjarte Stølås Storli is a security officer at the town hall in Sveio. He supports the measure. – This is completely unproblematic. And it is said that no one should freeze at work. Then I have to turn the temperature up again, he says. Chief engineer Kari Mork at the Norwegian Working Environment Authority has previously told news that there are no clear temperature limits for indoor climate in the Working Environment Act. But the inspectorate recommends that the temperature is not below 19 or above 26 degrees. – Below 19 degrees, many will freeze or feel uncomfortable. And in a job where dexterity and precision are important, it can become difficult if it gets too cold, she said. The party leaders debated with Fredrik Solvang during the party leader debate.
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Sveio municipality has bought fleece blankets for politicians – news Vestland
