Data Centre Ban Sparks Debate

The latest Vestfold / Telemark news from the past 48 hours focuses on a national debate that directly affects Telemark: Rødt’s proposal to suspend new data centres in Norway. In Skien, the Gjerpen handball club has postponed the deadline set for avoiding bankruptcy proceedings by a few days. In Tønsberg, business owners are warning about a parking development plan, while several separate incidents have occurred in the two counties.

🏭 Economy: Vestfold / Telemark news and the brake on data centres

Rødt wants to « pull the emergency brake », slam on the brakes, for new data centres in Norway, reports NRK Vestfold / Telemark. The party is therefore proposing to block new establishments, an issue that goes beyond the regional level but is immediately echoed in Telemark.

The mayor of Fyresdal reacts strongly. According to the public broadcaster, he describes the initiative as « sheer panic », complete panic, and fears that the text will « wipe out » an economic activity present locally. He asks the Storting, the Norwegian parliament, to « take a deep breath »: in other words, to take time to reflect before legislating (NRK Vestfold / Telemark).

This sequence illustrates the weight of data centres in the economy of certain rural municipalities in Telemark, where they are presented as a source of activity. Since 1 January 2024, the region covered by this branch corresponds to two separate counties: Vestfold (Tønsberg, Sandefjord, Larvik, Horten, Holmestrand) and Telemark (Skien, Porsgrunn, Notodden, Rjukan). The public broadcaster’s news feed nevertheless retains the name « NRK Vestfold / Telemark ».

🤾 Sport: Gjerpen handball club postpones the deadline in Skien

The Gjerpen handball club in Skien (Telemark) needs 3 million kroner to maintain reasonable operations, according to NRK Vestfold / Telemark. The board had set Thursday as the deadline for raising the funds needed to continue operations. This deadline has now been postponed.

“So many positive things are happening. We are pushing back the deadline and will have a follow-up meeting next Wednesday,” says board chair Sven Håkon Kulbeck, quoted by the public broadcaster after the board meeting. At this stage, the club has raised 1 million kroner.

“We are touched, positive and grateful for the support and the kind words. 1 million is very good, but there is still a long way to go before we reach our goal,” he adds. Local businesses, private individuals and other clubs in the region have provided financial support to Gjerpen (NRK Vestfold / Telemark). The coming days will be crucial ahead of a new assessment.

🏙️ Tønsberg: shop owners worried about parking

In Tønsberg (Vestfold), shop owners are raising the alarm over parking plans, according to Tønsbergs Blad in an article published on 31 October at 01h. Their argument can be summed up in a single sentence: “We depend on having our customers.”

The same newspaper reports that the position of head of Kaldnes is vacant, with several candidates positioning themselves to succeed Benedicte Bjørnland (Tønsbergs Blad, 31 October). The editorial also revisits the “dream mission” entrusted to Charlotte, who emphasizes the need for “something to look forward to and gather around” in a difficult international context (Tønsbergs Blad, 31 October).

🎃 Culture and local life in Telemark

In Telemark, Telemarksavisa highlighted the Halloween house that attracts passers-by: they stop and take photos of the decorations, according to an article published on October 30 at 22:00. The newspaper also tested the new kebab chain established in the area, giving it a mixed verdict, “tastily good,” in an article published on October 31 at 00:00.

📌 Local briefs

In Tønsberg, a late-teenage boy was seriously injured in a collision with a van on Velleveien; he was airlifted to Ullevål hospital and the road was expected to remain closed for several hours (NRK Vestfold / Telemark).

Also in Vestfold, a man in his early 60s was knocked down by a car at a pedestrian crossing in Eik, in a 40 km/h zone, and taken to Tønsberg hospital; the driver was interviewed and lost his licence, with no suspicion of drink-driving. The victim’s large black dog has disappeared and may be injured; the police can be contacted on 02800 and the volunteer organisation Nitrogruppa is taking part in the search (NRK Vestfold / Telemark).

In Kviteseid (Telemark), a man in his early 70s died after a fire in a caravan at Løyne Camping og Hytteutleie, reported shortly after 05h20; a passerby woke and got a person out of the unit, and firefighters arrived on scene at 05h45 (NRK Vestfold / Telemark).

Telemarksavisa also reports on fights, accidents and a 16-year-old driving during the night, in its publication on 31 October at 05h.

Sources: NRK Vestfold / Telemark, Tønsbergs Blad, Telemarksavisa — Period: 30 October 2026 and 31 October 2026