Between 800 and 1000 people helped create a public celebration when the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland, visited the Stokkfjellet Wind Farm in Selbu on Wednesday afternoon.
- I have had an absolutely fantastic day. Standing on top of a wind turbine has been a dream, which now came true. It was also amazing to see how many people showed up for the Open Day – enjoying themselves in the wind park. This was fun, said Aasland as he left Stokkfjellet.
- A Great and Moving Experience
At Stokkfjellet, he was not alone. The wind park, home to 21 turbines, was teeming with people, and yesterday, it was open for everyone to drive up the mountain and get up close to the wind turbines. The large turnout and the great atmosphere made an impression on the Minister of Petroleum and Energy. He hadn't planned a speech but spontaneously took the stage in front of the service building, where several hundred people were enjoying grilled food and the traditional Selbu doughnuts in the sun, served by the local sports club, Øverbygda Idrettslag.
- It feels good to come here and see such strong support for renewable energy. I just stood on top of a turbine. It was a great and moving experience. I'm an energy technician by background, and looking down on all the people living in the village, in Selbu municipality, and standing with those who work here, this is about the future. It was a big and wonderful experience, said Aasland to the crowd after the aerial tour 114 meters above the ground.
Annual Tradition with BBQ
He further thanked the local people for their positive engagement in wind energy, advocating for Open Day and the BBQ to become an annual tradition moving forward.
- If I lived in Selbu, I would want this day to be an annual tradition. BBQ at Stokkfjellet, every year. As thanks for your support for the wind park. I just have to say thank you very much, you contribute to our future, and we greatly appreciate it. So look forward to next year, there will also be a BBQ, said Aasland, receiving unanimous applause from the audience.
- Renewable Power is the Future
Aasland is clear that more onshore wind power is the way to go, while we must also upgrade our hydropower and expand offshore wind, precisely because of the enormous need for renewable power in the time ahead.
- Renewable power is the future. We need to build much more energy production in the coming years to facilitate industries like battery factories and hydrogen production, to cut greenhouse gas emissions. So this is what we need more of in the future; onshore wind power. And we must build in a way where municipalities are on board and gain something more, and that's what we're working on ensuring happens, said Aasland.
- This Was Magical!
The Executive Vice President for Communication and Corporate Responsibility at TrønderEnergi, Stig Tore Laugen, was extremely pleased with the turnout for the Open Day and the Minister of Petroleum and Energy's visit.
- We expected a large turnout, but never dreamed so many people would actually come. And what an atmosphere it was at Stokkfjellet, this was magical! A huge thanks to the volunteer team from the local sports club and everyone else who contributed, making this a celebration for the minister, the local community, and us, says Laugen.
