On April 29, 2021, we had the good fortune of speaking with Mr. Erik Hans Eid Hohle, the Managing Director of The Energy Farm, Norway, about the leadership needed for a just energy transition. When asked about the meaning of leadership, Dr. Eid Hohle spoke about the importance of turning leadership into actions to really reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the importance of politicians to show effective leadership. He added that we need leadership at different levels: political, on the ground, and at the grassroot level.

Sofía Lana, a young entrepreneur from Spain asked about a just energy transition and the possibility of achieving SDG 7. Mr. Erik Eid Hohle spoke about the great amount of knowledge we have acquired regarding renewables in the last decades, but we have not been able to apply that knowledge to increase significantly the percentage of renewable energy users worldwide. Mr. Erik Eid Hohle also spoke about being pessimistic when speaking about creating these transitions but that there is optimism of market response. “If we are to succeed at this we have to use energy, smarter. Energy efficiency is the most important task”, Mr. Erik Eid Hohle added.

When Drishya Pathak, from the POP Movement, asked about the objective of The Energy Farm, Mr. Erik Eid Hohle spoke about the importance energy farms give to schools, students, and research institutions. Energy Farms have created several training programs for schools and students to learn about renewables, as well as for farmers who wanted to produce their own renewable energy.  Mr. Erik Eid Hohle spoke about the importance of doing things locally in order to do them smarter.

Finally, Kevin Morales, a young entrepreneur from Mexico, asked about overcoming challenges as young entrepreneurs. Mr. Erik Eid Hohle spoke about the need to build a plan for a faster transition.

About the Leader:

Mr. Erik Hans Eid Hohle has a Master of Forestry from the University of Life Science, Norway. He is the founder, co-owner and manager of the Energy Farm (Energigården AS) in Norway, established 1991. The main task of the Energy Farm is consulting and education, training, demonstrations and guided tours, courses and seminars for production of biofuels, bioheat, biopower and small scale solar systems – under the concept “From Know How to Show How”.

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