Plans to install an environment friendly battery solution must be postponed due to funding.
The funds that Kristiansand municipality applied for from "Klimasats", should cover the "hybrid solution" for Fullriggeren Sørlandet. The pandemic and other conditions entailed that it will not be possible to carry out the upgrade within the limits applicable to the grant. "We have the impression that the Norwegian Environment Agency has stretched as far as they have been able to, but the currents are indicative of our challenges," says Knut Arne Gjertsen, director of the Foundation.
"Klimasats" is a support scheme for municipalities and county municipalities that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the transition to the low emission society. Kristiansand municipality applied Norwegian Environment Agency .
Kristiansand municipality received a commitment to "Klimasats" support for hybrid solution in the full rigger Sørlandet on 18 September 2019 . Based on the progress plan in the application, the application is valid until 2022. Norwegian Environment Agency is familiar with challenges related to financing and progress of the project, and that the pandemic has presented further challenges, not least financially.
In an inquiry to Norwegian Environment Agency On 30 September 2020, the municipality requested changes to the notice. The municipality proposed two solutions:
- postponement of completion of the project which means that the redevelopment is completed within e.g. 5 years (the next main classification).
- alteratively if the grant can cover the commenced work and work completed until 2024 even if the project is not completed according to the conditions in the project.
The prerequisites for the project are completed two years after the project is granted, exceptionally 4 years later. The funding is paid out after the work performed, on the basis of the submitted report and confirmed accounting. Norwegian Environment Agency will not cover begun, but not completed work.
The consequences for the Foundation are that it lacks funding for started works and they will be wasted if it becomes necessary to cancel hybrid solution for the ship. At best, this will mean a postponement until the Foundation manages to obtain alternative funding and possible re-enactment. It can take years.
Media:
Nrk Sørlandet covered this in an article in the District News 13.1.2021
NRK Sørlandssendinga 13.1.2021: Fullriggeren mister prosjektstøtte
