Due to a lack of funding through the Danish Finance Act, which was presented on November 22, 2024 at 10 a.m., the 41-year-old NGO in Thy, Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy, is forced to close down the tasks that were previously financed by the Danish state. “This will have serious consequences,” says director Jane Kruse.
The consequences of the closure of several of Nordic Folkecenter’s work areas will not only be felt by the 12 employees in the NGO. After New Year, they will be included in the unemployment statistics. But it also has consequences for several thousand world citizens, who in the long history have been able to turn to Nordic Folkecenter for development and testing of, education in and advice on renewable energy, energy communities and energy savings:
“Over the past three years, we have had contact with or developed with 270 companies that have visions of a green future with renewable energy. There have been many ideas and projects through Folkecenter along the way, and we have a broad collaboration network, in which all will now be missing a strong NGO. The collaboration with the companies has benefited the students who have been on study stays at Folkecenter, who have had access to real projects. It has given them practical experience within the subject, and it is so important to have new graduates who know what renewable energy can and should be in the future,” says Jane Kruse.
Unique in wind
Nordisk Folkecenter has one of few test centers in Europe for small wind turbines between 5-25 kWh. Here, new technologies are developed and tested in collaboration with national and international small and medium-sized enterprises. The test center is crucial for developers of small wind turbines in their journey towards certification and subsequent market access, and the test center ensures that the developed wind turbines are safe and reliable. Nordisk Folkecenter is a strong voice in the wind industry:
“Folkecenter contributes to the development of new wind turbine standards and solutions for social acceptance of renewable energy via the Danish Standards Committee (DS/S-588) and internationally via the International Energy Agency (IEA) through the technical committee (TC88). It is absolutely crucial to have Danish voices in these areas, in order to accommodate Danish development of wind energy,” says Tonny Brink, technical manager at Nordisk Folkecenter.
Every year, the NGO has brought together industry, professionals, NGOs and professionals from the research world in the field of wind energy for an international conference, where they have shared knowledge and experiences with the goal of becoming even more skilled at producing wind energy for the entire world.
Folkecenter is a place for everyone from all over the world
“The green transition is a shared responsibility, and Folkecenter has been the place where businesses, education, elementary schools, kindergartens and the civilian population have been able to find inspiration and knowledge on how they can be part of the changes that will create a greener future. And Folkecenter has been a voice for citizens who for many years have wanted to be an active part of the green transition, for example through local energy communities,” says Jane Kruse.
Outside the country’s borders, the absence of Nordic Folkecenter will also be felt, continues the director, who has been part of the NGO since the beginning:
“For many years, we have collaborated with NGOs and local organizations in developing countries to create viable conditions for everyone in the world. This will be a hard blow for our international partners, who from next year will not be able to access Danish know-how and best practice.”
“Renewable energy is the future”
Director Jane Kruse finds it difficult to see why Nordisk Folkecenter was not included in the Finance Act for 2025:
“The Minister of Finance himself says that the Finance Act focuses on green transition and education – and yet the funding of Folkecenter is being terminated – a place that works so hard on green transition and education. This will have consequences for education within renewable energy, testing of new, innovative renewable energy technologies and international cooperation to achieve climate goals on a global scale.”
Nordisk Folkecenter’s results are at Christiansborg, available to all those who have negotiated the Finance Act:
“We have been to Christiansborg several times and talked about the work that Folkecenter do and how it contributes to the green transition. We have worked locally, nationally and internationally to create a common basis for joint action for a better future. But it seems that it has not been a priority for the Government, the Socialist Party and the Radical Party,” says Per Thostrup, chairman of the board of Nordisk Folkecenter.
Even though the Nordic Folkecenter is not on the 2025 Finance Act, director Jane Kruse and her employees will continue to fight to find funds so that the NGO can continue its work, albeit perhaps in a different form, assures chairman Per Thostrup:
“The Folkecenter has always looked forward; the Folkecenter is and wants to continue to be relevant in the green transition – that is why we continue to try to find funding for our work. Renewable energy is the future – we have known that for 41 years – and that has not changed. Therefore, Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy still deserves a place in the future.”
For further comments contact Jane Kruse at +45 40604551 or jk@folkecenter.dk