A national knowledge center for renewable energy
The need for Arven
The world is facing major challenges. The energy crisis, the climate crisis, and the nature crisis must all be solved simultaneously. This requires strong collaboration across industry, public agencies, and society. To achieve change, we must transition to a society where growth and development occur within the limits of nature’s capacity. The shift from fossil to renewable energy sources is a crucial part of the green transition, and through the Paris Agreement, Norway has set clear goals on the path toward a zero-emission society.
Developments in society show that there is a great need to increase knowledge and foster a shared understanding of how we should use our renewable energy, and what impacts interventions in nature have on those who will depend on it. The time has come for dialogue, involvement, communication, and transparency. Future generations depend on making the world more sustainable, and renewable energy is a key piece in achieving this. Therefore, it is essential that we manage to engage the public, especially the young, in the solutions that will shape our shared future.
The demand for energy is increasing
According to the Energy Commission in NOU 2023:3, Norway will need 40 TWh of new renewable energy by 2030. It is important to note that it has taken us approximately 150 years to develop around 150 TWh of renewable energy. Therefore, we are facing a significant challenge as a society, especially considering the lack of acceptance for new energy projects.
In the coming years, Norway will lead a massive expansion of more renewable energy and industry. This requires political leadership and extra effort to create a shared understanding of the purpose, methods, and consequences of such development. Open dialogue, broad involvement, and clear communication are essential for success.
Here, Arven will play a crucial role.
The communication around these topics is currently fragmented, even though many are working on communication within specific areas. No one is communicating the big picture, and collaboration among all the actors who convey these topics can create great synergies. Arven has been in dialogue with many communicators who want to collaborate so that in the future, we can better explain the connections.
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.
Initially, there was significant opposition to the Øvre Forsland power plant. Many believed that the development would make significant impacts on the natural environment and conflict with the region’s focus on tourism, which largely relies on experiences related to the stunning landscape. However, through strong community involvement and a completely different approach to communication and ambition than previous power developments, Øvre Forsland became a tourist attraction. This attraction is built on beautiful architecture and is equipped for tourism with parking, fire pits, picnic areas, restroom facilities, and a meeting room in the middle of nature for tours and educational programs for students of all grade levels.
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.
Where industry and nature meet
The location of Arven next to Øvre Forsland provides a unique opportunity to showcase the power and potential of renewable energy. Visitors to Arven will be able to experience energy production in practice, while also learning about the role different energy sources play in our energy system.
Arven has an agreement with the power plant owner, allowing the entire facility to be used for educational purposes. Additionally, we aim to create enriching experiences in the area surrounding the center. An optional extra hike to the power plant will be an extended part of the experience. Further up, towards the Toven mountain, Forslandsdalen offers spectacular hikes surrounded by majestic rivers, streams, waterfalls, and mountains.
Arven will be established in central Norway, in a region that is highly relevant for the development of new green industry due to its energy surplus. The region is largely built around our energy sources, and the connections between energy development and industry are very visible. The region also hosts various users of nature, such as hunters, reindeer herders, wild salmon industries, and tourism. Good and open communication will be crucial in the coming years to foster a shared understanding of our challenges.
Our goals
Arvens goals
Our ambition is to help society make sustainable energy choices based on knowledge and shared understanding. Our key goals are:
Increased Knowledge
- Provide the public with a solid and honest knowledge foundation about the Norwegian energy system.
- Foster pride in Norway as a renewable energy nation.
- Contribute to making the renewable energy sector more attractive for industry.
Better Public Health and Sustainable Tourism
- Create a showcase for forward-looking and sustainable energy tourism.
- Enhance public health by improving facilities around the country’s energy installations.
- Offer exciting activity options in rural areas.
Increased knowledge about renewable energy will stimulate economic growth, innovation, and job creation in the renewable sector. This investment will position Norway at the forefront of a green future and strengthen our international position as a reliable supplier of renewable energy.
A world-class tourist attraction
Spectacular
Arven is designed to be an architectural masterpiece, set in the rugged and majestic natural landscape of Nordland. With its innovative design, Arven will not only be a groundbreaking center for learning and education about renewable energy but also a unique and spectacular destination for visitors from around the world. Visitors will be able to explore the center’s various installations and exhibits while being surrounded by the beauty of the natural landscape.
During the construction and operation of Arven, there will be a strong focus on sustainable solutions. These solutions will also be part of the visitor experience.
Activities for the Whole Family
The center aims to create activities for the entire family. Families from around the world can come to learn about renewable energy through spectacular educational concepts. Additionally, we will reach out to school classes, hikers, and communities across the country through collaborations with the renewable energy sector, science centers, museums, and other communicators.
Arven in the Past, Present, and Future
Past
Arven will showcase stories that highlight the development of renewable energy sources and how this has shaped our society for nearly 150 years. We will present the consequences of interventions and how this affects those who use nature. This can be displayed both digitally and physically, and we will gather stories from across the country.
Present
Arven will provide examples of how renewable energy sources are used today and the impact this has on local communities and the environment. We will highlight new research that shows how developments can be carried out with less impact on biodiversity.
Future
Through our collaboration with research institutions, Arven will develop educational programs that demonstrate what the renewable society of the future could look like. We will also involve young people, allowing them to share their thoughts on a sustainable future.
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.
During the summer, Arven will engage young people as Arven Hosts. Their role will be to guide visitors around the facility, share stories about renewable energy, and discuss their thoughts on the future. These youth could include students studying renewable energy and the green transition.
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.
Activities at the center
To ensure robust operational funding for Arven, we have explored various concepts to provide stable and predictable revenue for the center. The ambition is to establish a solid operational foundation, so that the income received from partners will be directed entirely towards the development of new projects, installations, educational programs, and more.
Accommodation
To enhance all the other activities at the center, we will offer accommodation, either independently or in collaboration with others.
Restaurant operation rental
To create a spectacular tourist attraction and an attractive meeting place, the kitchen and restaurant at Arven must be well-designed to attract potential operators who would be interested in leasing and managing the restaurant. Do you know anyone who might be interested?
Offers for Businesses and School Classes
This can include hiking tours, cycling tours, and kayaking trips in a spectacular landscape, closely connected to energy production and nature.
Office rental
Office rental can be offered to students working on bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral theses related to renewable energy, as well as to tourism operators, researchers, and other groups.
Courses and meetings
Arven will have dedicated facilities for hosting courses and meetings. This can include business meetings or various courses related to renewable energy.
Collaboration
Together with other tourism operators in the region, we are exploring the possibility of creating sustainable group travel and products.
Conferences
Annual smaller conferences for the renewable energy sector, regional businesses, and collaboration with organizations such as Renewable Norway. Arven aims to become a meeting place for industry professionals, politicians, and for children and young people.
Events
This could include various events for the local and regional community, as well as larger events that could attract visitors to the center.
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
Reindeer Herding, Wild Salmon Industry, and Landowners
Research Institutions
Science Centers and Museums
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.
School classes
Arven will welcome school classes from throughout the region. Students will receive practical educational programs tailored to curricula for various age groups. Classes that need to travel long distances will be offered free accommodation and travel support, financed through agreements with various partners and public funding.
Content for physical and digital installations will be created with animations and available in multiple languages to ensure the programs are accessible to individuals from all nations and backgrounds.
At Arven, the primary focus will be on outdoor activities and digital communication. Learning will occur through direct engagement with the natural elements and we will develop unique installations and educational programs based on this approach.
Campsite
To accommodate school classes, we will provide simple lodging for large groups. We plan to set up several lavvu tents approximately 1 km from the Arven building.
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.