News

14 August 2018

Wind Energy in Norway: Climate vs. Environment

Norwegian WinWind partner CICERO arranged a panel debate between proponents and opponents of wind energy developments, with a particular focus on the Birkenes area. The key question discussed was: Why should Norway build wind turbines, when it's power is already renewable? Norway’s wind energy potential is twice as high as Germany’s, which makes it very attractive to invest in Norwegian wind energy development, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of developing wind energy in Norway?

 

The panel debate was chaired by CICERO’s Director, former Norwegian Minister of Finance and Minister of Education, Kristin Halvorsen. The panellists consisted of nature conservation associations, municipality mayors, wind turbine associations, energy companies and NGOs.  Approximately 100 persons were present in the audience and this group included (local, regional and national) policy-makers, industry, NGOs, academia.

 

The event was part of Arendalsuka, an annual national event in Norway and the largest political gathering in the country, and was live streamed online. The full video is available here.

 

More information on the event in Norwegian can be found on the website of WinWind partner Cicero.