In Porsgrunn there is still tension over who will gain power after the election. Several parts that are critical to wind power can come into the heat. As it stands now, it is highly unlikely that a collaboration will consist of parties that are positive about wind power in the municipality. Yara fears this year’s municipal elections will lead to a halt in all wind power development, not just in Porsgrunn, but throughout the country. Without green power, the company cannot electrify its factory on Herøya, which today emits enormous amounts of CO₂. Believes that there will hardly be time for Norway to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent by 2030. At the same time, mainland exports must increase by 50 per cent. – If we are to manage this, it is electrification that applies. Then we have to build out more renewable power across the country, says Holsether. At the factory in Porsgrunn alone, the fertilizer and chemical company Yara will cut 800,000 tonnes of CO₂. This is almost 2 percent of Norway’s total emissions. Yara’s factories, here from Herøya in Porsgrunn, will cut enormous amounts of CO₂. Then they are dependent on electrification. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news Holsether believes Porsgrunn is in many ways Norway’s industrial capital, and therefore should lead with what he believes is a good example in the wind power issue. – We need more renewable power to further develop industry, safe workplaces and ensure good prices for electricity for households. Holsether emphasizes that he does not want to interfere in the local negotiations. – We must not put ourselves in a position where we have to cut jobs in order to reach the climate targets. That would be a huge defeat. – What happens to the electrification project in Porsgrunn without developing wind power? – That makes it more difficult. It does not depend on production in the immediate area in isolation, but we need power development throughout the country, says the CEO. New projects can take off Norsk wind wants to build seven large windmills a stone’s throw from E18 on Lanner in Porsgrunn, and believes they can be built without affecting untouched nature. Illustration: Norsk wind The project in Porsgrunn, like a number of other places in the country, has met local political opposition. Project manager Espen Borgir Christophersen in Norsk Vind shares the concerns of the CEO of Yara after the election. – Right now it is an obstacle. There are too few politicians who dare to say that you must build more power, whether it is solar power, wind power or perhaps also hydropower. Many conflicts Lars Nehru Sand has previously stated that wind power as a topic has many goal conflicts in it. Energy, versus preserving nature. National provision or local co-determination. – Then of course it is about money and badly needed jobs for municipalities. There are many things that make this politically combustible in a local environment, he says. Several different parties therefore agree that wind power is a bad idea, but have different reasons. Lars Nehru Sand is a political commentator at news. Photo: Jon P Petrusson / news Don’t believe in wind power as a solution One of the parties that can gain political power in Porsgrunn is Rødt. Mayoral candidate Pål Berby thinks it’s a shame that Yara is going out in this way. Pål Berby is the mayoral candidate for Rødt in Porsgrunn. Photo: Martin Torstveit / news – They could rather come out and say what is really the problem. We do not have a power problem now, but sell most of our power out of Norway. That is the challenge. Berby does not believe in wind power as a long-term solution to the power problem. – We must be more energy-saving here and now and start doing this immediately. We must look at solar power where we have the opportunity. It is also important to look at alternative sources such as research on nuclear power.
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Yara warns against cooperation with parties that are against wind power – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
