Siva – the Norwegian Industrial Growth Company – has now signed an agreement to invest NOK 250 million in Haugaland Næringspark in Gismarvik. The investment will ensure faster preparation of land and industrial infrastructure, thereby lowering the threshold for new, forward-looking industrial establishments.
Haugaland Næringspark is Norway's largest fully regulated industrial area, with high industrial maturity, unique future prospects for power access and proximity to deep-water quays. Siva is committed to helping accelerate the development of an internationally attractive industrial park, in close collaboration with the five owner municipalities of Karmøy, Haugesund, Tysvær, Vindafjord and Bokn, as well as existing industrial players in the region.
Siva's investments are firmly rooted in the company's social mission – to ensure sustainable industrial value creation and production throughout Norway.
– Access to large, prepared industrial areas is one of the biggest bottlenecks for the development of new, green industry in Norway. Haugaland Business Park has all the prerequisites to become an internationally attractive industrial location. Siva's role is to contribute capital and expertise, so that the necessary plots of land and industrial infrastructure are in place more quickly. In this way, we can lower the risk for the industry, mobilize private capital and accelerate the establishment, says Director of Ownership and Property at Siva, Steinar Jørstad, who praises the five owner municipalities in the project.
– They have created a unique collaboration across areas, industry and port. It gives both the industrial park and the region an advantage that is very attractive in the competition for large-scale industry in Northern Europe, says Jørstad.
Bridging the gap between the public and private sectors
After more than 20 years of regulation, development of infrastructure and port facilities, and establishment of supplier industry, Haugaland Næringspark is now entering a new phase. Statnett's new 420kV transformer station, which is under construction, is helping to ensure that the large industrial establishments can finally arrive. This is a significant competitive advantage for the park. The first customers will probably make their investment decisions during the next year, and will be developed in parallel with the new transformer station.
– Industry is demanding pre-planned plots with established infrastructure, some also turnkey buildings. Siva's entry into the ownership sends a signal that Norway wants new large-scale industry. With strengthened ownership, we are even better equipped to welcome new industry, which can create new jobs and value creation that will benefit Haugalandet and all of Norway in the years to come, says General Manager Tiril Fjeld of Haugaland Næringspark.
To ensure that the investments target the most attractive and future-oriented industrial opportunities, Siva has worked closely with Invest in Norway. This helps to provide a solid basis for the assessments behind the initiative.
– International industrial players demand large, contiguous areas with ample access to renewable energy. This combination is rare, but here we have it. Siva's investment of NOK 250 million in Haugaland Business Park strengthens both the region's and Norway's competitiveness in the international race for sustainable industrial development, says Lars Gogstad, acting director of Invest in Norway.
Two-step investment
Siva is investing a total of NOK 250 million in Haugaland Business Park, divided into two stages. The capital is earmarked for the preparation of specific plots and industrial infrastructure for the utilization of resources between the industrial players in the park.
