Q&A

How many local jobs will the Øyfjellet Wind Park provide?

Øyfjellet Wind AS and our business partners will bring around 15 full-time posts to the local area during the operational phase and we will be long-term members of the local business community. The power purchasing agreement with the cornerstone industry, Alcoa, will additionally secure hundreds of Norwegian jobs.

What will the income to the local community from Øyfjellet Wind Park amount to?

Every year, we expect to contribute around NOK 35 million to the local community in the form of property tax, income tax, land rental payments, local contracts, sponsorship funds and more.

Why can't we just upgrade existing hydroelectric plants?

In Norway, we have every possibility of succeeding with the ‘green shift’, but then it will be important not to set one thing up against another. Hydroelectric power has been a mainstay of the Norwegian power system for generations.

This is set to continue in the future, but now we need all the renewable energy we can get – wind, water and solar. NVE estimates the potential of upgrades and expansion of hydroelectric at 5.1 TWh. This development will be one of many important contributions to more renewable energy. Non-regulable wind power, moreover, is a perfect complement to regulable hydroelectric power.

In what ways are you working together with the local community?

Our vision is to be a green value creator, working hand-in-hand with the local community. Social responsibility is important to us and, in the coming years, we’ll be putting great efforts into both large and small projects to create value and positive activity in the local community.

The local community shall experience the wind park to be a positive force, in addition to its creating crucial green energy for industry.

As a forward-looking business focussing on the environment, it is important for us to use local services and business partners from Mosjøen and the surrounding region. The project will make the mountain area accessible to many more people. Through involvement in different activities, we want to show that wind power can be developed at the same time as the natural environment is utilised to the benefit of the local community.

In what ways are you working together with reindeer interests in the district?

We support reindeer herding and recognise its importance as both cultural heritage and as a business. Unfortunately, we have not yet managed to come to an agreement with the Jillen-Njaarke reindeer district but are willing to do our best to find viable solutions.

We have entered into over 100 voluntary agreements with landowners, businesses and organisations that are affected by the project one way or another.   

How much more renewable energy do we need?

Access to more renewable energy is required for green industrial development and is crucial to halting the climate crisis. Hydroelectric power has been a mainstay of the Norwegian power system for generations. This is set to continue in the future, but now we need all the renewable energy we can get – wind, water and solar.

In Norway today, we already have a great deal of hydroelectric power but the Norwegian industry and transport sectors use large amounts of coal, oil and gas. Around half of our primary energy use still depends on fossil fuels. As we are to reduce emissions from fossil energy sources in future, we need more renewable energy: hydroelectric, wind and solar.  

Norway currently produces about 130 TWh of renewable energy. In order to electrify construction and business, industry and transport, Statnett estimates we will need between 20 to 40% more energy. If we are to shift shipping, aviation and the petroleum sector over to renewables, the energy requirement increases by up to 70%.

Norway is committed to a 40% cut in the transport, construction, agriculture and waste disposal sectors by 2030. To achieve this, we need more renewable energy. 

Why do we need wind power?

Renewable energy is crucial for halting the climate crisis.

Extreme weather events, flooding and droughts affect people around the world and in Norway, too. The dry summer of 2018 was very difficult for farmers. In 2019, we saw how heavy downpours can create flooding, rock slips and landslides in both urban and rural areas.

The UN International Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report shows how the difference between a 1.5 and 2 degree increase in temperature will negatively impact ecosystems, people and society around the world. The IPPC concluded that the world must significantly change course in order to avoid the serious consequences to nature, the environment and society.

There is no simple solution to the climate crisis but, if we are to succeed, we know that renewable sources of energy will be essential. Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity have already brought about a 1 degree Celsius rise in average global temperature. 70% of emissions come from burning fossil fuels. To solve the climate crisis, renewable energy must replace fossil energy sources.

Is wind power financially profitable?

Yes. In recent years, onshore wind power has evolved into a mature technology that is profitable without government subsidies. When Alcoa enters into a long-term power purchasing agreement with Øyfjellet, it is precisely because wind power has become competitive in terms of price.  

New wind power facilities use extremely advanced technology and can yield profits without renewable energy support schemes (green certificates) or other forms of support. This means there may now be grounds for taxing wind power plants so that host communities are guaranteed income from such installations.

In what ways will you facilitate outdoor activities at Øyfjellet?

The wind park will open up access to the mountains for a whole new group of users who have not previously had the opportunity to make use of Øyfjellet and the surrounding areas.

When the installation is completed, the available infrastructure will make Øyfjellet and its neighbouring areas readily accessible for family trips in beautiful surroundings. The area is well suited for hiking, recreation, cycling, uphill racing, fishing trips, skiing and other activities.

During the operational phase, the whole area covered by the Øyfjellet Wind Park will be open to everyone throughout the year. The entire massif will offer free access to non-motorised traffic and the benefits of active use of the area are unquestionable.

Øyfjellet Wind AS and Aquila Capital have long experience from the Midtfjellet Wind Park in the Municipality of Fitjar on the island of Stord. Everyone involved at Midtfjellet has shown great interest in the local community and the park has been an important contributor to many projects benefitting the population of Fitjar and the surrounding region.  Read more at: www.midtfjellet.no

Who owns Øyfjellet Wind AS?

Øyfjellet Wind AS is owned by a long-term investment fund managed by Aquila Capital. Aquila Capital is one of Europe’s foremost asset managers with focus on renewable energy and green logistics. Its aim in Norway is to promote growth, green industry and green employment through long-term investment in renewable energy.

The investors are largely European investors and pension funds with an environmental profile. They manage funds from public employees and other groups that want a long-term, sustainable profile for their investments

How big is Øyfjellet Wind Park?

The licenced area covers 40 km2, around 2% of the municipality. The roads, turbines and buildings to be constructed are estimated to cover 2-3% of the licenced area. Concentration of the turbines means excellent utilisation of the area, and adjustments and improvements have continuously been made in line with feedback from the local community.

Will the energy produced at Øyfjellet Wind Park be exported to Europe?

No. Alcoa, which is Mosjøen’s cornerstone industry, is to buy all the power produced for the first 15 years. Helgeland Kraft owns the main grid and is responsible for connecting the power transmission line to Marka substation by means of a 132 kV main breaker inside Marka substation.

The construction contribution covers all expenses involved, therefore ensuring that the development of Øyfjellet Wind Park will not lead to increased grid rental costs for consumers in the area.

How can you make sure the landscape can be returned to its original state?

One of the licencing requirements is that we shall return the landscape to its original condition when the licencing period runs out. For this reason, we are building the installation in the least invasive way possible.

Before starting the construction of turbine foundations, roads and crane pads, we stored electronic data that can be uploaded into diggers and which enables us to return the topography to very nearly the same state as before building started.

Who owns the mountain area?

We rent the mountain areas and other areas affected by the wind park from national and local landowners who have got together to supply the cornerstone industry, Alcoa, with renewable electricity. The licence grants the rights to operate the Øyfjellet Wind Park for 25 years.

Who decided where the wind park would be built?

The wind park began as a local initiative, not least on account of the large-scale energy consumers located nearby. Here, local landowners and industry have joined together to harness natural resources on behalf of industrial development and social welfare.

In 2014, the Municipality of Vefsn gave its support to the application. Following that, the project has been through a thorough licencing process with approval from the national authorities. In addition, an open democratic process over several years resulted in a large number of adjustments and improvements in response to suggestions from the local community.

Will the development lead to increased grid rental costs?

Helgeland Kraft owns the main grid and is responsible for connecting the power transmission line to Marka substation by means of a 132 kV main breaker inside Marka substation. The construction contribution covers all expenses involved, therefore ensuring that the development of Øyfjellet Wind Park will not lead to increased grid rental costs for consumers in the area.

What happens to the energy which is produced?

The wind park is licenced for up to 400MW and an agreement has been signed with the aluminium producer, Alcoa – Mosjøen’s cornerstone industry –  to purchase all the energy produced for 15 years.

Why do we need a wind park on Øyfjellet?

The climate crisis and the transition to renewable energy for the whole of society will create even greater needs for energy in the future. The aluminium producer, Alcoa, in Mosjøen, has agreed to purchase all the energy from the wind park for the next 15 years. This guarantees opportunities for growth and helps safeguard hundreds of Norwegian jobs. If industry is to be set up for the future, we must ensure the energy it uses is green.