A national competence centre for energy tourism
The need for Arven
Norway has an extensive energy infrastructure that already exists. Power plants, dams, roads and energy landscapes can be found across the country. These are investments that have shaped Norwegian society. Yet much of this heritage remains out of reach for most people. Through collaboration between business, municipalities, volunteers and the tourism sector, these places can be opened for experiences, learning and value creation.
Arven is a national competence centre for energy tourism that shares knowledge about how we can develop this potential in Norway. We risk losing valuable opportunities hidden in the existing infrastructure, but energy tourism allows us to use it again in new ways. The idea is to make better use of what already exists, to highlight our impressive landscapes and engineering achievements, and to turn energy into an experience. This can create new value in tourism, strengthen Norway’s position as a sustainable travel destination and help people understand how energy and nature are connected.
A shared HUB
In Leirfjord, a new centre is being established as a shared meeting place for knowledge, experiences and tourism. Here, Arven will be located together with regional partners in food, accommodation and experiences. Together we are creating a living hub for energy, nature and tourism on the Helgeland coast.
Located at the renowned Øvre Forsland power plant
The location of Arven
Arven will be built at the bottom of Forslandsdalen, where the Forsland River flows into the sea. From here, visitors can walk 6 kilometers on a car-free gravel road to what has been referred to as the world’s most beautiful power plant, Øvre Forsland.
Before the power plant was built, there were few visitors to Forslandsdalen. Today, it attracts 10,000 visitors annually. The power plant has sparked enthusiasm and pride regionally, nationally, and internationally. It demonstrates the power of good communication and shared understanding and ambitions.
Forslandsdalen is the perfect place to develop energy tourism because the valley itself tells the story of Norway’s renewable energy journey. Here, visitors can follow more than a hundred years of hydropower history in one continuous landscape. From the first small power plant at Sjøfossen in 1939 to the award-winning Øvre Forsland Hydropower Plant, known as one of the most beautiful in the world.
Along the river you can see how technology, nature and society have evolved together, through dams, bridges, and cultural landmarks that reflect the growth of modern Norway. This unique combination of industrial heritage, untouched nature and accessible infrastructure makes Forslandsdalen an ideal arena for learning, storytelling and outdoor experiences that bring the power of energy to life.
Where industry and nature meet
The location of Arven beside Øvre Forsland provides a unique opportunity to show how energy and landscape work together. Visitors can see how hydropower functions in practice, experience how energy production and nature coexist, and learn how energy has shaped life and communities in Helgeland. Around the centre there are walking paths, picnic areas and outdoor installations that make the area accessible for everyone, from hikers and school groups to tourists and professionals.
Our goals
Arvens goals
As a national competence centre for energy tourism, Arven will connect energy, industry, education and tourism, and make energy part of the Norwegian travel experience.
Better Public Health and Sustainable Tourism
- Create a showcase for forward-looking and sustainable energy tourism
- Contribute to public health by improving access around Norway’s energy sites
Innovation and Green Value Creation
- Create new business activity in rural areas based on existing energy and industrial structures
- Increase understanding of energy as a resource in tourism and local development
- Contribute to economic growth, jobs and innovation in the renewable energy and tourism sectors
Increased Knowledge and Pride
- Provide the public with an honest and understandable picture of Norway’s energy system
- Build pride and identity around Norway as a renewable energy nation
- Share knowledge about how renewable energy and industry can be used for learning and experiences
A world-class visitor attraction
Spectacular
The centre will be a place where architecture, nature and technology meet. Through exhibitions, trails and activities that engage children, youth and adults, the centre will give visitors new insights into the role of energy in everyday life. Here you can take part in activities, learn outdoors and experience the power of nature up close.
Menon Economics estimates that the centre could attract 86,000 visitors annually by 2030 and reach more than half a million people through educational projects.
Energy Tourism
Renewable energy has played a key role in the development of Norwegian communities and industries. The tourism sector can benefit from this as well. Environmental awareness in travel is growing rapidly, and eco-friendly destinations are expected to see strong growth. Renewable energy sites can become part of the travel experience, with guided tours to hydropower plants or wind farms. This is often referred to as energy tourism.
Energy tourism is a form of knowledge-based tourism.
Team & target audiences
The Arven team will be tasked with creating educational programs and installations tailored to various target audiences. This includes showcasing the latest technology, organizing workshops, and facilitating thought-provoking discussions.
Arvens main audience
1. Children & youth
Arven will create engaging experiences and educational programs for various groups of children and young people.
2. Public
Tourists and families who wish to visit the center in their leisure time, from Norway and abroad.
3. Industry and academia
Arven will work on topics related to renewable energy and the green transition, targeting businesses, research institutions, universities, and colleges.
A place for stories
Arven collects the stories—and makes them interactive and exciting!
Stories about the past, present, and future, from:
Industry
Renewable Energy Sector
Communities
Cool educational programs and interactive installations, for:
Visitors to Arven
School Classes
Museum Guests
Science Center Guests
The Renewable Energy Sector and Industry Engaging with School Classes and the Community
Digital communication and outdoor experiences
Outdoor communication
Interactive Installations and Exhibits
The center will offer interactive exhibits that demonstrate renewable energy sources such as wind, water, and solar power. By sharing stories through platforms and channels that young people already use today, we aim to inspire in new and exciting ways.
Guided Tours
Arven will provide guided tours that take visitors through the various exhibits and explain how renewable energy sources function in outdoor settings. Arven also aims to offer guided tours to other energy installations, such as the hydropower plants in Røssåga or the wind farm at Øyfjellet.
Installations Around Power Plants
Arven will inspire the renewable energy sector to improve facilities around existing power plants, where visitors can explore renewable energy sources in practice and learn about their environmental impact.
Workshops and Events
Arven will host workshops and events designed to enhance knowledge about tomorrow’s energy solutions.
Digital communication
VR and AR Experiences
Arven will offer virtual experiences that allow visitors to explore the world of renewable energy from anywhere.
Games and Movies
Arven will create educational games about renewable energy sources, presented in a fun and engaging way.
Interactive Screens
Arven will develop content for screens that can be placed both indoors and outdoors around the center and at our partner locations.
Learning For All Ages
Arven will be a learning arena for all ages. We will welcome school classes from primary and secondary education as well as universities. Through hands-on learning, outdoor activities and interactive installations, students will experience how energy, nature and technology connect. The goal is to make energy concrete, exciting and relevant for everyone.
For students and professionals, Arven will also serve as a place for project work, field courses and collaboration with industry. The knowledge created here will contribute to development far beyond Helgeland.
His Majesty the King of Norway about Arven
It has now been three years since we began working on Arven. We have met with numerous businesses, politicians, and communicators from across the country to discuss our plans. When we were fortunate to receive a visit from Their Majesties the King and Queen in June 2023, we were both touched and honored by the kind words His Majesty the King had to say about Arven and our aspirations. We believe His Majesty the King captures the essence of our work well, and we would like to quote his words here.
We have some natural gifts in this country that are not afforded to everyone: we have clean energy sources like water and wind. We have natural resources that have brought us prosperity and well-being, enabling most people to lead good lives from cradle to grave. Both here in Norway and around the world, we are working to discover how we can find and utilize these natural resources for the benefit of both the planet and the people who live here.
This is Arven. And Arven is right here in Leirfjord. Here, you take your stewardship responsibilities seriously by creating a center for experiences and knowledge for the renewable energy society of the future. The building and the plans look impressive. And this is important! Because we all need to learn about the connections: where our resources come from, how we can best manage them, and how we can utilize them most effectively in the future, to the benefit of as many people as possible.
It is about respect for what nature provides. It is about a shared commitment to ensuring that new generations can also live well. And it is about collaboration. When the Arven knowledge center is completed, I am sure that both young and old from near and far will come and have a truly enlightening experience. And be reminded of how everything is interconnected.
His Majesty King Harald V of Norway
Organization
Owners
Arven currently has seven owners: Kunnskapsparken Helgeland, Vitensenter Nordland, Leirfjord Municipality, Mo Industripark, Helgeland Kraft, Salten Kraftsamband, and Nordkraft Produksjon.
Board and Management
The board will consist of 6-8 members. Currently, the board includes representatives from several of the owners. As Arven progresses through new phases, the board and its structure may change to ensure that necessary resources and expertise are always available. The daily operations are currently managed by a director hired by Kunnskapsparken Helgeland. Additionally, various resources from owners and partners are involved in the development of Arven.
Kraftarven Eiendom AS
Kraftarven Eiendom is structured as a property management company, and all development to date has been carried out by this company. Kraftarven Eiendom is responsible for the construction, ownership, and management of the buildings and related infrastructure, including the establishment of necessary agreements for the use of additional infrastructure in Forslandsdalen. This includes access to the power plant for tours, rental of meeting rooms and restrooms, as well as roadways and dam facilities. The company has a statutory public benefit purpose and does not distribute economic profits to its owners.
Kraftarven AS
Kraftarven is organized as an operating company that leases building space from the parent company, Kraftarven Eiendom. The company budgets for 4-6 full-time equivalents, including additional help and summer guides. The statutory purpose of the company is: “Operation of Arven as a knowledge and experience center for renewable energy and value creation.” The company has a statutory public benefit purpose and does not distribute economic profits to its owners.
Partners
Arven will establish partnership agreements with various stakeholders, including energy companies, research institutions, and industrial actors. We already have partnership agreements in place with several entities that are committed to providing annual contributions to Arven once it is operational.