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Iceland geothermal industry officially forms Geothermal Cluster Group

Iceland geothermal industry officially forms Geothermal Cluster Group Company representatives at the Launch of the Icelandic Geothermal Cluster (source: Hrefna Bachmann/ Íslandsbanki)
Alexander Richter 29 Jun 2011

The Icelandic geothermal energy industry officially launches work on the Icelandic Geothermal Cluster a joint project by all companies working in the industry, servicing it, but also government and academic institutions etc.

An ongoing project on founding and working on the creation of a Geothermal Industry Cluster in Iceland, found finally its kick-start yesterday with an event in Iceland.

Representatives from probably more than 40 companies joined the inauguration meeting of the group. The project has been supported by Prof. Michael Porter, who has given a presentation on the cluster at an event in November last year in Reykjavik.

He now was on site when the report on the cluster was officially published. An interview with him in Icelandic television can be found on http://ht.ly/5swCo (Starts at 1:21) (via Twitter @bardur)

I was personally involved in the early stage of this project on behalf of Íslandsbanki, and believe this is a great way forward for the industry in this crucial time both in Iceland and internationally. The head of the geothermal team of Íslandsbanki stated that the bank “believes that the geothermal cluster provides a great growth platform for the Icelandic geothermal industry. The cluster will enhance cooperation between companies while at the same time encouraging competition which is vital for any industry.”

There are naturally a lot of various interest groups represented, among them government institutions, academic institutions, energy companies, consultancies, financial players, etc.

Companies that are involved in the project are: Landsvirkjun, Mannvit, HS Orka, KPMG, Íslandsbanki, GEORG, Efla, Alcoa, Icelandair, Arion Banki, Samorka, Reykjavik Geothermal, Alterra Power Corp, Landsbanki, ISOR, Verkís, Landsnet, Blue Lagoon, MP Banki, Carbon Recycling International, UNU Geothermal Training Program, Rarik, Kadeco, Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita REykjavikur), Matorka, University of Reykjavik, REYST, Rannis, Nordural, Lex, Landvernd, Keilir, Islandsstofa, Lysing, and many others.

Details about the cluster work can be found via Iceland Geothermal and the the company behind the project Gekon.