National trade union leader
holds local offshore wind talks
Peggy Hessen Følsvik, leader of The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, had time for some sightseeing outside the FFS Marine premises Lundevågen before she left Farsund. (Photo: Sveinung W. Jensen, Tellus Kommunikasjon)
Offshore wind was on the agenda when Peggy Hessen Følsvik, leader of The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, visited Farsund.
– It’s important that the investment in offshore wind in Norway generates Norwegian jobs, said Følsvik.
The delegation of trade union leaders was accompanied by Mayor of Farsund, Arnt Abrahamsen. He brought them to two local companies that have been involved in the offshore wind business for years, Einar Øgrey Farsund and FFS Marine.
EINAR ØGREY Farsund is a mechanical workshop specializing in installation of HVDC systems that transport the electricity produced offshore to the mainland. The company is involved in projects all over the world.
– We want to create local jobs and build local expertise based on offshore wind. Farsund and Lyngdal are located close to future offshore wind farms, and we have suitable areas and ports. However, we need help with funding the development of these areas, said Marthinsen, CEO of Einar Øgrey Farsund, Arne Marthinsen.
Einar Øgrey Farsund is one of five major companies in the Lister region aiming to develop offshore wind related activity in the industrial area of Hausvik, Lyngdal.
The grouping has already founded the company Hausvik Energy Yard. A letter of intent is agreed with the Municipality of Lyngdal, the owner of the industrial area.
FFS MARINE aims to take a leading role when it comes to maritime logistics and onshore bases.
– We are rigged to serve the offshore wind industry with storage and operation services, said John W. Nilsen, CEO of FFS Marine.
The company offers 15.000 square meters of indoor warehouse facilities and 35.000 square meters of outdoor storage.
– OFFSHORE WIND is something we spend a lot of time working on at the minute. We want to help establish offshore wind activity in Norway. Therefore, it’s important that you are hands on and show everyone all the opportunities that exist in the region, said Peggy Hessen Følsvik.
The leader of Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions left Farsund impressed.
– I must say that this visit was very instructive. We learnt a lot about the companies and the region as a whole, said Peggy Hessen Følsvik.
The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions is a national trade union center, decidedly the largest and probably the most influential umbrella organization of labour unions in Norway.
The 21 national unions affiliated have almost 1,000,000 members of a Norwegian population of 5 million.
