Data centre plans for Sirdal cancelled

The latest news from the Sørlandet / Agder region over the past 48 hours has been dominated by the cancellation of data centre plans in Sirdal, the opening of Morrow’s battery factory for politicians in Arendal and Erik “Myggen” Mykland’s departure from Start. Culture and local life round out this overview, with a new attraction at Dyreparken and a campaign by mayors to prepare for old age. The miscellaneous news is gathered at the end of the article.

Sørlandet / Agder News: Sirdal halts data centre plans

The County Governor has overturned the decision to approve a data centre in Sirdal in Agder county (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). According to the same source, hundreds of trees have already been felled and one billion kroner invested. “Fantastic news”, says a cabin owner in NRK Sørlandet / Agder.

NRK Sørlandet / Agder reports that cabin owners in the area are responding positively to the cancellation of the project. The public broadcaster points out that the announcement comes after extensive preparatory work and significant investments. The Local Norway also reports that Norwegian authorities intend to support data centres “that we really need”.

The County Governor's decision concerns a planned data centre in Sirdal in Agder county. It comes as the debate over the siting of such infrastructure remains heated in southern Norway. NRK Sørlandet / Agder does not specify any possible appeals or the timeline for the next steps.

Economy: Morrow opens its doors to politicians in Arendal

The Morrow battery factory invites politicians from Arendal to a meeting at the site, according to NRK Sørlandet / Agder. The American company Lyten is working to take over the plant, which went bankrupt earlier in the year (NRK Sørlandet / Agder).

The meeting is to be held in Arendal, in the county of Agder. NRK Sørlandet / Agder gives no specific date for the meeting or details about what will be discussed. In terms of energy, The Local Norway reports that southern Norway is set to see the highest electricity prices of the year.

Culture: Dyreparken unveils a Karius and Baktus attraction

Dyreparken in Kristiansand has built a new attraction dedicated to Karius and Baktus in three years (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). It measures 1,500 square metres, lasts 30 minutes and can accommodate 150 visitors at a time, according to the public broadcaster.

“Imagine that you will become so small that you can only be seen through a magnifying glass. That is the key to the whole experience,” says director and set designer Jostein Kirkeby-Garstad to NRK Sørlandet / Agder. Visitors must physically enter a sensory illusion before accessing the mouth of the character Jens, the same source explains.

Sport: Erik “Myggen” Mykland leaves Start

Erik “Myggen” Mykland is leaving his position as coach at IK Start’s development centre after eight years, according to Fædrelandsvennen, quoted by NRK Sørlandet / Agder. The 55-year-old wanted a more significant role and a longer contract than the one year offered by the club.

Start’s head of development, Johan Gjønnes Nilsen, says the club wanted to keep Mykland and regrets that no agreement was reached (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). According to Nettavisen, quoted by the same source, Mykland is becoming the new coach of the A team of the Kristiansand club, Våg.

Local life: mayors encourage people to prepare for old age

The mayor of Iveland, Jan André Myhren, began adapting his home for his old age 15 years ago, reports NRK Sørlandet / Agder. He removed the stairs and high thresholds and widened doors that were too narrow. “I thought it wouldn’t work,” he tells the public radio station.

Together with five other mayors from the Kristiansand region, he is promoting the “Valg for fremtiden” campaign, led by six member municipalities: Birkenes, Iveland, Kristiansand, Lillesand and other municipalities in the region (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). The aim is to encourage residents of Agder county to plan ahead for their future old age.

📌 Local briefs

In Kristiansand, Oppvekstutvalet is concerned about violence following the circulation of a violent video; it is asking the police to impose further restrictions on people who repeatedly commit violence (NRK Sørlandet / Agder).

Nineteen people were arrested simultaneously; the aim was to recover their phones (Fædrelandsvennen, 10 November, 21:00). Two cars were impounded; the case is to be resolved (Fædrelandsvennen, 10 November, 13:00).

Sources: NRK Sørlandet / Agder, Fædrelandsvennen, The Local Norway — Period: 10 November 2026 and 11 November 2026