Picture credit: Per Ole Hagen
NOTODDEN, NORWAY — Emerging opportunities for climate-smart cooperation between Zimbabwe and Norway took centre stage following a high-level visit to Notodden Municipality by two Zimbabwean opposition officials to a historic Norwegian industrial town renowned for its hydropower legacy, workers’ rights tradition, and pioneering role in renewable energy innovation.
The visit included an official meeting with Mayor Gry Fuglestveit, who oversees the historic municipality known globally for its role in the second Industrial Revolution and its pioneering contributions to hydropower and industrial innovation.
The two, Treasure Basopo and Boris Muguti discussed on democratic governance, sustainable development, and the role of local authorities in climate action.
“It was a great honour and learning experience to meet the Mayor of Notodden this Friday. I admire her incisive and principled stance on democratic principles and the amazing work she is doing for the people of Notodden.I was also thrilled to learn about the profound significance of Notodden itself. Notodden is no ordinary town! It is the birthplace of the second Industrial Revolution, where Norsk Hydro pioneered the world’s first large-scale fertilizer production in 1905, ” said Basopo.
Notodden is internationally recognised as the birthplace of Norsk Hydro, founded in 1905, one of the world’s largest aluminium and renewable energy companies.
commenting about the visit, Muguti said, “Notodden is an embodiment of what can be achieved through proper planning and execution when resources are availed. There is much to learn.”
The company emerged from groundbreaking work in hydropower-driven fertilizer production, a technological advancement that transformed global agriculture and industrial processes at the turn of the 20th century.
During the visit, guided tours were conducted at several hydropower facilities, offering firsthand insight into Norway’s long-standing investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
The hydropower plants, which remain operational more than a century later, demonstrate how early industrial innovation can be aligned with modern climate goals and sustainability standards.
Mayor Fuglestvei emphasised the “importance of principled leadership and democratic governance in managing public resources and ensuring inclusive development.”
Her administration has prioritised environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and social welfare in a municipality historically shaped by workers’ rights movements and industrial labour struggles.
Notodden’s historical and cultural significance is preserved under the UNESCO World Heritage designation as part of the Rjukan–Notodden Industrial Heritage Site.
The area is recognised for its unique integration of early industrial infrastructure — including factories, power stations, power lines, and transport systems — into a dramatic natural landscape of mountains, rivers, and valleys.
UNESCO describes the site as a living cultural landscape that illustrates how natural resources were harnessed through innovation to drive industrial and social transformation. The municipality remains a reference point for how industrial development can coexist with environmental preservation.
The visit also underscored potential avenues for cooperation between Zimbabwe and Norway, particularly in renewable energy development, sustainable mining, industrial transition, and climate-resilient economic models.
Zimbabwe, which continues to face energy deficits and climate-induced challenges, could draw valuable lessons from Norway’s long-term investment in hydropower and community-centred development.
Surrounded by striking natural scenery, Notodden today stands as both a historical monument and a modern example of climate-conscious governance.
This initiative is a cooperation with the Oslo-based company Norway Communicates, specializing in social, educational and cultural development across borders.
