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News from Clemens Kraft

Power Focus in Arendal

Clemens Kraft was present during Arendalsuka, with clear messages about the obstacles that exist and what is needed for sustainable and economically viable development of the power industry in Norway
Published 19.08.2025

Arendalsuka is a circus of well over two thousand events and people bustling in and out of all kinds of provisional debate arenas. Along the streets, organizations stand in rows with their exhibition tents and  good messages presented as bullet points in colorful brochures. Without warning, you may find that the person in front of you in the queue at Baker Jørgensen is a member of parliament or a mayor you recognize. Arendalsuka is an arena for handshakes and informal conversations, and a golden opportunity to shed light on various issues.

The square in front of the cultural center was reserved for political parties, while the streets of Arendal were filled with organizations covering almost every topic imaginable.

We at Clemens Kraft met many people when we staffed the Norwegian Small Hydropower Association's stand on one of the days during the festival. It is useful to hear what questions the public is pondering, and it gives us a good opportunity to answer them and clarify concerns that people may have.

The festival's debate program offers many interesting topics that are relevant to stakeholders in the small hydropower industry. From the rows of seats, we picked up on a great deal of interesting information and had good conversations with the debaters between the "rounds." CK's own people also took part in debate panels and helped raise issues and clearly highlight the challenges facing the power industry, both in terms of development and reputation.

 

How can power development be balanced with consideration for nature while ensuring local acceptance? That was the topic of the debate with participants Bror Helgestad, mayor of Østre Toten, Birgitta Gulla Løken, mayor of Larvik, Mani Hussaini, member of parliament for the Labour Party, Bård Vegard Solhjell, CEO of Renewable Norway, and Knud Nørve, managing director of Clemens Kraft.