When the farmer Hans Christian Høiland was refused to set up a farm windmill for his own consumption, he set up a 26-metre high crane on the farmyard at Undheim on Jæren in protest. It was to remain there until the municipality changed its mind. And possibly another faucet appeared if they didn’t listen. But there was no need for another crane. For now, the farmer has been given the green light by Time municipality to set up the windmill anyway. The result was both a great relief and a surprise for Høiland. Farmer Hans Christian Høiland on Jæren is relieved and surprised by the municipality’s decision. Photo: Odin Omland / news – Was it a different decision than you expected? – Yes, it did. Now I am relieved, so far, says the farmer, because despite the fact that the municipality has agreed to the windmill, he is not quite over the mark yet. First, the decision must be approved by the State Administrator. – But I have faith, says the farmer and says that he hopes for a positive response in return. The crane in the picture can legally be left in the same place for two years. Høiland is not going to move it until the windmill is in the box. The farm is located at the top of Undheim, a place where it is often windy and where windmills, according to the farmer himself, are not a rare sight. When the windmill is in place, the plan is that the surplus flow will be sold online, but primarily the electricity will go to own consumption. The municipality wants wind power In September, Time municipality justified its refusal with the owl hubbro living in the area and concern about how the windmill would have towered over the terrain. But today the municipality turned around. By seven votes to two, the committee decided that the farmer can set up the farm windmill. – There was a long and good discussion in the committee, and I feel that the members mostly agree that wind power is something that we want, Ole Jørgen Alstadsæther (H), head of local development, tells the committee. Leader of the local development committee, Ole Jørgen Alstadsæther (H) Photo: Odin Omland Furthermore, Alstadsæther explains that the discussion largely revolved around the way forward around private wind turbines in Time municipality. – It ended up with Høiland getting a disposition and the members seeing this as a start. And that, before too long, we will put in place a comprehensive plan for how we will continue to work with the wind turbine problem, he says. The local development committee in Time municipality says yes to Hans Christian Høiland being able to set up a farm windmill. Photo: Odin Omland / news Hans Christian Høiland says that he thinks it was a good discussion, but points out that it is urgent to find a solution. – If the municipalities are to draw up a plan for further processing, they must work quickly. Because the entire agricultural and business world is crying out for cheaper or self-produced electricity, says the farmer. Don’t take away the crane The wind turbine with a price tag of 1.5 million has a nominal output of 25 kW. With this, Høiland’s plan is to produce up to a maximum of 114,000 kWh per year. Which will correspond to approximately seven average households in Norway. Now that the farmer is one step closer to getting the windmill in place, he is not going to set up another crane. But the current crane will remain. – It will stand as long as the case is not completely closed, but the plan to set up another crane on Monday has been shelved.
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The farmer’s stunt worked – got the green light to produce its own electricity – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
