In August 2025, the Norwegian Bjerkreim municipality gave the green light for the installation of three small-scale wind turbines at Røysland Gaard, a mixed-use farm operated by farmer and entrepreneur Kjell Ivar Ueland through Grønn Gårdsenergi AS (GGE). As a project partner in the HarvRESt initiative, GGE is playing a central role in demonstrating how renewable technologies can be successfully integrated into everyday farming operations.

Located on a vast 2.2 million square metre site, Røysland Gaard comprises grasslands, forests, and two lakes with hydropower potential. The farm is dedicated to livestock production, housing 20 Wagyu cattle and 175 pigs, and also runs its own slaughterhouse, making energy a constant and essential need.

The approval of the turbines marks a major milestone for the Norwegian HarvRESt pilot, which aims to trial renewable energy solutions under real-world conditions. GGE, in collaboration with research institute NORCE, is developing a smart energy system that integrates local renewable sources to support the full decarbonisation of the farm. This includes managing the interaction between energy storage systems and various renewable assets and coordinating farm activities to optimise resource use.

The farm’s renewable energy initiatives already include photovoltaic panels, battery storage, and plans for hydropower installations. GGE is also exploring biogas production from manure and the use of combined heat and power (CHP) plants, creating synergies with HarvRESt partners in Denmark and Spain.

Three Turbines, Three Technologies

The newly approved turbines are Norwegian-produced and range from 9 to 30 meters in height. Each of them represents a different technology. Among them is a bladeless, vibrating-mast turbine, designed to reduce visual and acoustic impact.

These turbines are intended primarily to supply power to the farm’s housing, barns, and slaughterhouse, with a strong emphasis on self-reliance, reduced fossil fuel use, and increased resilience in the event of grid outages.

“Our aim is to make the farm self-sufficient in energy and to demonstrate to others what can be achieved,” says Kjell Ivar Ueland. His vision is to create an integrated energy system rooted in sustainability, resilience, and economic viability.

By testing a mix of wind technologies side by side, the Norwegian pilot will generate valuable data on performance, cost-effectiveness, and practical usability, benefiting not only Norwegian farmers but agricultural communities across Europe.