A principled no to wind power could cost jobs
NITO President Kjetil Lein is concerned that wind power development is coming to a halt, and believes it is necessary to have a duty to investigate before the municipalities possibly say no.
Debate: By Kjetil Lein, NITO. The article was published 18.03.26 in EnergiWatch.
When the industry is so clear that it needs more power, it is worrying that politicians do not impose an obligation on Norwegian municipalities to investigate new power production.
We must have a knowledge-based approach to the power balance in Norway. Imposing an obligation on the municipalities to carry out an investigation creates debate. This is understandable, as opposition to wind power on land has grown large in Norway. In an editorial in Aftenposten, they point out this week that wind power development in Norway has almost come to a halt. We share that concern.
But the point is not to overrun the municipalities. On the contrary. Local democracy is absolutely essential for us to succeed in developing new power in Norway. At NITO, we believe that knowledge, facts and studies must be the basis for decisions. Without a duty to investigate, municipalities can say no to development based only on principles. It can cost jobs.
We have many members in power-intensive industry. They are worried. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) points out that Norway will have a power deficit if we do not ensure new development. That we in Norway have a healthy debate about renewable energy and the power mix of the future is absolutely necessary, but the debate must not displace political action.
As engineers, we are concerned that expertise in nature management and mapping must be raised higher into the power debate. Among other things, we propose the establishment of a national competence centre for energy for the municipalities, which is in line with the Government's Energy Commission. The work on nature mapping must be prioritised, so that it is easier to safeguard natural values. It will also lead to the municipalities gaining better knowledge about which wind power projects can be developed, without the consequences being too great.
When all considerations in land-use policy are treated equally, there is a risk that fundamental societal interests, such as access to electricity and new renewable production, do not get the space they need. Power production and the development of electricity grids must be given higher priority, and the processing capacity in licensing processes must be strengthened.
Wind power development in Norway has thus come to a complete halt. This is despite the fact that onshore wind power is considered the fastest and cheapest way to ensure clean power for mainland industry. We must ensure predictable industrial jobs in the future. It is therefore responsible politics not to let rhetoric displace the facts.