Øyfjellet Wind Park started as a local initiative, with broad support from the local population, industry and among decision-makers. The wind park is a long-term contributor to employment, growth and development, benefitting the whole region for years to come.
Here, local landowners and industry have joined together to harness natural resources on behalf of industrial development and social welfare.
In Norway, we have been extremely good at making prudent, long-term use of our natural resources for industrial development and social welfare.
Our vision is to be a value creator, working hand-in-hand with the local community. For us, this means making use of communal resources in considerate interaction with nature and the entire local community.
The whole value chain from construction to operation has made use of local services and business partners. In this way, we have become an important part of local business life, giving extra value back to the local community as well as the value provided by the actual electricity.
The development of Øyfjellet Wind Park has made the mountain more accessible to people who previously have not been able to enjoy the area covered by the park. We want more people to make use of the natural environment while helping to deal with the climate crisis.
The wind park began as a local project around 2011, and is firmly rooted in the local community.
Øyfjellet Wind Park has been through a thorough licencing process, providing both individuals and organisations with the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions. The project has been adapted and improved on an ongoing basis in keeping with local community feedback.
The licence for the project was granted in 2016, and subsequently updated in 2018. Construction began in December 2019, and the park was fully operational in 2022. The wind park is licenced for up to 400 MW, and a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) has been signed with the Alcoa aluminium plant in Mosjøen — meaning the wind park delivers locally produced electricity.
The licensing decision from NVE includes a thorough assessment in relation to reindeer herding interests. It is of great importance that reindeer owners have access to their winter grazing areas, and we will work hard to find good solutions in collaboration with the reindeer herding industry.
The wind park has made the mountains more accessible for a whole new group of users who have not previously had the opportunity to make use of Øyfjellet and the surrounding areas. The new infrastructure makes Øyfjellet and its neighbouring areas readily accessible for hiking, recreation, cycling, uphill racing, fishing trips, skiing and other activities.
The whole area covered by Øyfjellet Wind Park is open to everyone throughout the year. The area offers free access to non-motorised traffic, and the benefits of active use of the area are unquestionable.
The project company is called Øyfjellet Wind AS, and is led by Erik Mortensen.
Øyfjellet Wind AS is owned by a long-term investment fund managed by Aquila Capital. The company's aim in Norway is to promote growth, industry and employment through long-term investment in renewable energy. The investors are largely European investors and pension funds with an environmental profile.
Øyfjellet Wind AS and Aquila Capital have long experience from Midtfjellet Wind Park, in the Municipality of Fitjar on the island of Stord. In 2022 Midtfjellet Wind Park received Norwea's industry award Samfunnsbyggeren for its many years of work on outdoor recreation and activities in and around the facility. Read more at midtfjellet.no.
