The winter darkness has long since descended on Grenaa when Norddjurs' mayor Kasper Bjerregaard (V) opens the door and welcomes us.
We are going to talk about Grenaa Port, which plays a part in the self-awareness of Djursland. The upcoming expansion of offshore wind plays a central role in the port. Already today, the port also plays a part as a tax base for the municipality, and a few hours before the interview with the mayor, this was stated by Grenaa Port CCO Theis Gisselbæk:
- 29 percent of the municipality's tax revenue is related to the port, and there is a positive atmosphere around the port.
The good relationship is also something that the mayor can nod in recognition of.
- Our port is important, both as a workplace and for the development of the municipality. That is why it is so important that we have the super-agile port that we have. There is a pride in the maritime industry in this town that everyone notices, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
It is even something that he often thinks about in the morning on his way to work.
- I live ten km south of Grenaa. It makes me really happy when I see the large drilling rigs in the harbour from my home, which are being serviced, he explains.
The oil and gas industry's drilling rigs can be seen from a very long distance because of the tall jack-up towers. Both when drilling rigs and other vessels are in the harbour, there are positive side effects.
- There are all the side effects, because people come to the town to both live and eat here. And we have some really good skills in HSM Industri that can handle the tasks, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
HSM Industri is Grenaa's major player, working for both the wind and oil and gas industries. The company is also a co-owner of a number of subcontractors in the city.
Land sold for biorefinery
Recently, the port has helped attract another green industry to Grenaa. A plot of land for a biorefinery has been sold due to its proximity to the port, because raw materials for production can be brought in and fuels can be shipped out.
- We have sold the plot of land for the biorefinery, which is conditional on the approvals for production. Biomethane, ethanol and methanol will be produced, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
The sold plot is located one kilometer from Grenaa Port. Overall, the municipality is focusing broadly on energy in the municipality.
- We would like to have a plurality of energy forms, where we are both consumers and suppliers, explains the mayor.
The municipality has an overall strategy that focuses on uniting qualities that benefit both citizens and tourists.
- Our strategy is to be a green municipality with space for agriculture, hunting and forests with 117 km of coastline. The area on the North Coast and south of Grenaa takes the pressure of tourism, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
Space for solar cells
The municipality is also already in full swing installing solar cells.
- We have several solar cell projects in the pipeline, and just over 60 hectares are in the pipeline. And there are five more projects on the way, so the planned project is on track, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
He is well aware of the discussion within the Liberal Party about solar cells on agricultural land. It is a discussion that has two camps, known among the farmers in the party.
- It is an ongoing discussion. One group believes that farmers should be allowed to grow whatever they want. And that could also include solar cells on the fields. Then there is also the other group that believes that food should be grown on the land, explains Kasper Bjerregaard.
The mayor does not see that the opinions are divided by age or the like.
- There are no clear lines of communication for who believes what, he says.
But it is a discussion that means something to the members.
- It is a discussion right in the hearts of Venstre people, but it has shifted after the war in Ukraine broke out, says Kasper Bjerregaard about a softening in favor of solar cells on agricultural land in the party.
However, one thing is absolutely certain for the politician.
- It is a completely fair and legitimate debate to have. There is also the whole discussion about whether we should have solar cells on public buildings. It is a discussion that we need to have, it is said.
However, it is clear that Danes in the future will not be able to settle for a few energy sources.
- It is important that we get the aforementioned diversity in our energy sources, says Kasper Bjerregaard.
Good decisions from the past
There is one thing that Kasper Bjerregaard is particularly happy about, which will benefit a large part of the citizens in the municipality in the midst of the energy price crisis.
- We are lucky that we have utility companies that have some really good prices. That really makes a difference now, he says and continues:
- Some really good decisions have been made in the past. People really appreciate their district heating.
While others have previously made wise decisions with district heating, all of Denmark is facing new decisions that will future-proof the energy supply.
- We must ensure that investments in our electricity cable network are put on the agenda, says Kasper Bjerregaard, who is well aware that the large-scale expansion of offshore wind requires a new electricity cable network.
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