Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE, gave a broad presentation of GCE NODE’s new strategy, current projects, and future plans.
The annual meeting took place in Arendal Friday morning, in conjunction with a major business sector event hosted by Sparebanken Sør.
“Being a vehicle for growth in our region, it is vital for GCE NODE to keep key stakeholder informed. Equally important is the feedback we receive from the same stakeholders,” says Mjåland.
The municipal and county representatives commented on the development of the offshore wind industry in the Agder region. Several have funded a regional collaboration project Fremtidens Havvind, which has been pivotal in uniting Agder efforts within offshore wind.
“We need to continue this work to develop regional ports to support the offshore wind developers and operators. Fremtidens Havvind has been a success so far. I have colleagues in other regions who want to learn how we pulled this together,” said Arne Thomassen, Mayor of Agder County.
Kjell Rune Olsen, Head of Business Development at Lindesnes Municipality was keen to see more results.
“We have had three meeting with the minister. It is time to do more than consider evaluate. It is time to decide and commit to a solution for port development,” said Olsen.
Einar Holmer-Hoven, Mayor of Lillesand, agreed.
“We need to find and describe a solution and present it to the government. We should also set a timeline,” said Holmer-Hoven.
Participants at the meeting:
- Arne Thomassen (Mayor, Agder County)
- Torunn Høyum-Eriksen (Agder County)
- Wenche Fresvik (Agder County)
- Dag Marius Dahlboe Eikeland (Mayor, Risør)
- Marianne Landaas (Mayor, Tvedestrand)
- Anne Torunn Hvideberg (Business Manager, Tvedestrand)
- Matthieu Aemisegger (Business Developer, Grimstad)
- Einar Holmer-Hoven (Mayor, Lillesand)
- Geir Haugum (Business Manager, Kristiansand)
- Kjell Rune Olsen (Business Manager, Lindesnes)
- Thora Arnadottir (Business Manager, Farsund)
- Liv Øyulvstad (Business Manager, Kvinesdal)
- Knut Mjåland (GCE NODE)
- Bjørn Saltermark (Maritime Forum South)
Mathias Bernander, Mayor of Kristiansand, had a separate meeting with GCE NODE earlier in the week.
