In December 2025, the municipal company Myldr Energipark sold a large plot of land in Fyresdal, Vest-Telemark, to the American data center company Edgeconnex. This transaction marked one of the largest data center projects in Norway and brought significant financial gains to the local municipality. The sale resulted in a profit of approximately 110 million Norwegian kroner, with 80 million of this amount being transferred directly into the municipal budget. The sale was facilitated by Myldr Energipark, which had been established in 2021 and has since operated under the leadership of Erik Skjervagen, who serves as both mayor of Fyresdal and chairman of the board of directors of Myldr.
Erik Skjervagen, a member of the Labour Party (Ap), has held the position of mayor in Fyresdal for the past 15 years and has also been the chairman of Myldr since its inception. In addition to his role in Myldr, he holds similar positions in other major energy companies within Vest-Telemark, including Vest-Telemark Kraftlag Holding and Tnett (Telemark Net). His extensive involvement in these organizations raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given his dual roles as a public official and a corporate leader.
The Konsumentforening (KS), a prominent consumer organization in Norway, has issued clear guidelines advising against such overlapping roles. According to Martin Skramstad, a senior advisor at KS, it is preferable for elected officials to maintain a clear distinction between their roles as owners and operators of companies. He emphasized that serving on the boards of publicly owned companies can potentially impair an official's ability to impartially handle matters related to their own municipality.
KS’s handbook for mayors explicitly warns against taking on roles in the management of publicly owned companies, highlighting the need for elected officials to act as responsible owners rather than active participants in the day-to-day operations of these entities. This advice comes amid growing concerns about transparency and accountability in local governance, especially when public funds are involved.
Despite these warnings, Skjervagen maintains that he does not take them into account. He asserts that his long-standing experience in managing various energy companies in the region justifies his continued involvement. His rationale seems to rest on the belief that his expertise and knowledge are crucial for the effective operation of these enterprises, even though they are partially owned by the municipality.
The structure of Myldr’s board further illustrates the complexity of the situation. Besides Skjervagen, the board consists of two additional members. Last year, the company paid a total of 66,000 kroner in salaries to the board. Meanwhile, the company’s daily manager, Olav Veum, was not employed directly but engaged through his own company, resulting in a payment of 1.3 million kroner last year—100,000 more than the previous year. These figures highlight the financial implications of such arrangements and raise questions about whether the compensation aligns with standard practices in the sector.
According to Skramstad, while there is no outright prohibition against elected officials holding positions in corporate boards, caution is necessary. He notes that situations involving mergers or significant changes within a company might necessitate a closer relationship between the owner and the operator. However, he emphasizes that such cases should be rare and carefully evaluated to avoid compromising the integrity of public service.
Historically, mayors were often appointed to serve on the boards of publicly owned companies, but recent trends suggest a shift towards more passive forms of ownership. Instead of direct involvement in management, the focus now appears to be on exercising ownership rights through general meetings or representative assemblies. This change reflects broader efforts to enhance transparency and reduce potential conflicts of interest in local governance.
As the debate continues, the case of Fyresdal highlights the ongoing tension between practical governance and ethical considerations. While Skjervagen defends his approach based on experience and necessity, critics argue that the separation of roles is essential to ensure fairness and accountability in public administration. The outcome of this situation will likely depend on how future policies evolve and how effectively oversight mechanisms are implemented to prevent conflicts of interest.
3 reports
AftenpostenIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 85Objective 703 days agoIn Fyresdal municipality, the American company Edgeconnex is constructing one of Norway’s largest data centers. The facility would consume approximately 365 megawatts of power—about half of Bergen’s energy usage on its coldest day—and rely on renewable hydroelectricity. However, the data center would still generate significant emissions due to its use of 176 diesel-powered backup generators. These generators would require frequent testing, leading to annual diesel consumption of around 968,000 liters. If using conventional diesel, this would equate to the emissions of approximately 1,600 cars, resulting in about 2,600 tons of CO₂ annually. Edgeconnex has requested permission to use biodiesel (HVO100), which could reduce emissions by up to 90%, but there is no guarantee they will obtain it. Climate researcher Helene Muri notes that if conventional diesel is used, Fyresdal’s CO₂ emissions would increase by over 40% solely from this single facility. Experts warn that biodiesel supply is limited and costly, both globally and within Norway.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue as a significant environmental concern, emphasizing the potential impact of the data center’s emissions on local climate goals. It highlights the reliance on fossil fuels despite available alternatives and quotes experts who criticize the lack of commitment to cleaner, '
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 70): The article accurately describes the scale of emissions from the data center based on Edgeconnex' application, aligning with the primary source's discussion of NOx and their environmental impact. However, it lacks direct reference to the primary source document and presents some subjective concerns
AftenpostenIndependent🔒CenterFactual 80Objective 657 days ago KS: It can make you disabled.The Norwegian organization KS has issued clear advice that elected officials should avoid holding positions in the boards of municipal companies. In Fyresdal, Telemark, Mayor Erik Skjervagen (from the Labour Party) has been serving as chairman of the board of Myldr Energipark, the municipal company that sold a large plot of land to the American data center firm Edgeconnex. This sale generated approximately 110 million Norwegian kroner in profit, with 80 million transferred to the municipality’s budget. KS warns that such dual roles could impair an official’s ability to act impartially in their own municipality. Despite this guidance, Skjervagen states he does not take these recommendations into account, emphasizing his role as chairman of several major energy companies in Vest-Telemark.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both KS's advisory stance against overlapping roles and the mayor's counterposition without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties involved, providing balanced perspectives on the issue.
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 65): This article repeats much of the content from the first but focuses more on political implications, particularly regarding conflicts of interest. It does not directly reference the primary source document and leans into ethical concerns rather than providing balanced technical information.
VG – Verdens GangIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 657 days agoThe article discusses concerns raised by the Norwegian political party KS regarding the dual role of local politicians in managing municipal companies. In Fyresdal municipality, Mayor Erik Skjervagen (from the center-right Ap party) serves as chairman of the municipal company Myldr Energipark, which sold land to the American data center firm Edgeconnex. This sale generated significant revenue for the municipality, with 80 million kroner transferred to the budget. KS advises against holding multiple roles, warning that such positions could compromise impartiality in decision-making. While Skjervagen acknowledges the advice, he argues that his involvement is necessary for effective management. The article highlights potential conflicts of interest and raises questions about transparency and accountability in local governance.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue around potential conflicts of interest and calls out the dual role of local leaders, aligning with progressive concerns about transparency and ethical governance. It emphasizes the risks of mixing ownership and operational roles, suggesting a critical view of current做法,
Why these scores (Factual 80 · Objective 65): Similar to the second article, this piece emphasizes political aspects and potential conflicts of interest. While it provides factual details about the sale and roles of officials, it lacks direct connection to the primary source document and presents a one-sided perspective on governance issues.
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