Longyearbyen puts an end to coal | Polarjournal
No more smoke is emitted from the chimney of Norway’s last coal-fired power plant since yesterday. Photo: Marcel Schütz

The end of coal: Just over 24 hours ago, an era came to a close in Longyearbyen. For decades, the power plant supplied electricity and heat produced with Svalbard’s own coal.

Coal-based power generation in Longyearbyen had long been out of date and environmentalists had been calling for this step for years. Yesterday the time had finally come: at 10:20 a.m. Hugo Olsen and Odd Jostein Sylte from Svalbard Energi pressed the button to switch off Norway’s last coal-fired power plant. From now on, most of the energy comes from diesel generators.

It is understood that diesel is only slightly more climate-friendly and can only be an interim solution for Longyearbyen on the way to a fully renewable energy supply. But the switch will at least avoid about 35,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year – the coal-fired power plant emitted about twice that amount every year.

Svalbard Energi is convinced that diesel will ensure energy supply even on the coldest days. Nevertheless, the coal-fired power plant will remain for one year as a backup.

The approximately 2,600 residents of Longyearbyen could feel the switch to diesel primarily in their wallets, according to Guttorm Nygård, manager of Svalbard Energi. He told NRK that there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the price of diesel, largely due to the war in Ukraine and further exacerbated by the war in the Middle East.

The monument in Longyearbyen’s pedestrian zone will be a reminder of the coal mining history of more than 100 years for a long time to come. Meanwhile, solar panels are gradually being installed on the surrounding buildings. (Photo: Julia Hager)

The Norwegian government wants to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years and is aiming for a 100 per cent renewable energy supply. The transition is in full swing, and solar panels have already been installed on many buildings. Wind turbines are also already providing electricity for the northernmost community at 78 degrees north latitude. To achieve the goal, biomass and geothermal energy will certainly play a role, as well as huge battery packs.

Terje Aunevik, the newly elected chairman of Longyearbyen’s municipal council, is also looking to the future and now wants to gradually accelerate the expansion of renewable energies.

Since 1983, the shut-down coal-fired power plant has supplied energy for Longyearbyen. Its predecessor was in operation from 1920. The shutdown also means the approaching end of more than 100 years of coal mining history. Until recently, the coal came from the only remaining Norwegian mine, Gruve 7. Other mines on Svalbard are in Barentsburg, which are operated by Russia.

Julia Hager, PolarJournal

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