Framo meets MPs to discuss the power shortage on Holsnøy
Framo is set to invest 4 billion NOK in a new factory on Holsnøy outside Bergen, but the lack of grid capacity and power threatens to bring the project to a halt.
Together with the Bergen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Framo representatives met with the Members of Parliament from Western Norway at the Norwegian Parliament to put the power shortage on the agenda and to discuss possible solutions.
On hold to 2035
“We have applied for the necessary power capacity but have been informed that a grid connection will not be possible until 2035. For an industrial company operating in global markets, this is not a delay. It is, in practice, a full stop”, says Richard Sulen, Managing Director at Flatøy and responsible for the factory expansion on Holsnøy.
For Framo, the project at Holsnøy is about our continued development. For Western Norway, it is about jobs and value creation. For Norway, it is about retaining and further developing a world-leading industry.
“We are ready to invest our own capital. All we ask for is access to the infrastructure that makes investing in Norway possible,” was Richard Sulens clear message to the MBs.
Permission needed to build a quay
To bring the Holsnøy project across the finish line, obtaining permission to build a quay adjacent to the factory site is essential. The area is subject to interests and activities linked to the Norwegian Armed Forces, which makes the approval process particularly complex.
“Without a quay, the project becomes significantly more challenging. We are therefore seeking a constructive dialogue with Forsvarsbygg to find a solution that balances operational requirements with the opportunity to realize a major industrial investment for Western Norway,” says Sulen.
The Members of Parliament demonstrated a clear understanding of the challenges Framo face during the meeting at the Parliament.
“When a multibillion industrial investment is in risk of effectively be put on hold due to a lack of grid capacity and unresolved framework conditions, it is not just a challenge for Framo. It is a question of Norway’s ability to attract, retain, and grow world-leading industries.
We appreciate the attention given to these issues and look forward to continuing the dialogue,” says Richard Sulen.
