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Second 45 MW Unit of Theistareykir geothermal power plant starts operation in Iceland

Second 45 MW Unit of Theistareykir geothermal power plant starts operation in Iceland Turbine hall at Theistareykir geothermal power plant, Iceland (source: Landsvirkjun)
Alexander Richter 18 Apr 2018

Iceland's national power company Landsvirkjun has started operation of the second unit of the Theistareykir geothermal power plant, bringing the total capacity up to 90 MW. The plant features two 45 MW turbines from Fuji Electric and is located in the Northeast of Iceland.

As reported this morning, the second unit of the Theistareykir geothermal power plant in Iceland has started operation. This is the 17th power plant of national power company Landsvirkjun and the first geothermal plant built by Landsvirkjun from scratch. The plant has now reached 90 MW power generation capacity with two 45 MW Fuji Electric turbines.

Theistareykir geothermal power plant was launched last November, when the first unit was formally launched and connected to the national transmission system. Construction of a second unit has been successful. The second unit arrived at the plant in April 2017 and installation was completed in January 2018. Since mid-February, Unit 2 has been in testing operation until all its functionality has been verified and Landsvirkjun having officially taken over its operation.

The project has been developed according to plan from the first day, which is mainly due to the good and effective cooperation of all parties involved in getting this project off the ground, so Landsvirkjun in its release today.

The overall construction activities at Theistareykir will soon conclude. All construction work, with the exception of surface finishes, are expected to end at the beginning of summer. Surface finishing is in the tender process, as tenders will be opened at the end of April and it is aimed for work to start in early June. The work is expected to end this fall, and construction work in Theistareykir will end soon.

History of construction in Theistareykir

Initiatives for the utilization of the natural resources in Theistareykir came from local people, but local authorities and residents established company Theistareykir ehf. in 1999. Landsvirkjun first came to the project in 2005, but since 2011, it has begun its preparation and implementation.

Studies in the geothermal area in Theistareykir stretch for decades back in time. Environmental impact assessment was based on the development of up to 200 MW of power plants in the area, but the current project has been the construction of 90 MW power plants in two phases. Construction has been ongoing for about three years and since the beginning the main goal has been to build a cost-effective and reliable base that takes into account its surroundings and nature.

Environmental impact minimized

Right from the beginning, relations with stakeholders were prioritized and a focus was set on environmental issues. The planning of projects aimed at minimizing environmental impact as much as possible.

A re-naturalisation project was initiated in parallel with the preparatory work and aimed at restoring land that ended up under construction. This task is now at the final stage. All reclamation has been carried out in collaboration with Land Reclamation and local representatives. Vegetation cover that had been removed has been directly utilized for reclamation with good results, and together with the recovery of our pasture land, is the company’s pride in the handling of environmental issues at Theistareykir.

Environmental monitoring began at the same time as preparatory projects, which involves mapping of the basic state of nature at the start of construction, which is then used to assess potential changes during construction and onward through the operation of the plant.

Communication

Special attention has been paid to interaction with stakeholders in the area, as farmers have used Theistareykir as a pastoral landmark for decades, which the project did not impact. It was also possible to cooperate with tourism organizations during the construction phase, so that both parties could continue their work.

Landsvirkjun has twice invited visitors to visit Theistareykir to follow with construction at the plant, first in the summer 2016 and then again in July 2017. Each time, over 300 people visited and were pleased with their visit to the site. Over 300 people visited each other and were generally pleased with the visit.

Idea competition for a design or artwork

There has been an creative contest for artistic work that is planned be located in the vast nature of Theistareykja. The competition is held in collaboration with Landsvirkjun and the Icelandic Design Center, but requests are made for a crafted work or artwork that fits the environment and increases the experience of those who visit the site. All interested are encouraged to take part in the competition and take advantage of the guided tour of the area during the competition.

Proposals must be submitted before June 1, 2018, and total prize money is ISK 3.5 million (around USD 35,000), but further information is available at www.landsvirkjun.is/competition.

Source: Landsvirkjun