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Icelandic President sets cornerstone for Theistareykir geothermal plant in Iceland

Icelandic President sets cornerstone for Theistareykir geothermal plant in Iceland Theistareykir geothermal project; September 2016 (source: screenshot from TV2 video)
Alexander Richter 26 Sep 2016

Iceland's President Gudni Th. Jóhannesson set the cornerstone of the new Theistareykir geothermal power plant by Iceland's national power company Landsvirkjun last week.

At a ceremony before the weekend, the President of Iceland Gudni Th. Johannesson  set the cornerstone of the Theistareykir geothermal power plant. It is the first geothermal power plant that Iceland’s national power company Landsvirkjun will construct from scratch. The ceremony took place in the power plant and were Bjarni Benediktsson, Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs and Hördur Arnarson, CEO of Landsvirkjun were present.

Construction on the plant started last year, as we reported, but the project can be traced back to 2009. In the below interview the President said that the plant will play a great part in helping Iceland’s prosperity and wealth. “Power development is controversial in Iceland but I think and hope, and feel actually hat this has been successful and consensus project,” so the President.

Iceland’s Ministery of Finance said that he was convinced that the project will be the whole nation for the benefit.

“It’s great to come here and to be present when the cornerstone is laid for the power plant and we’re excited about this project here will be for the benefit of both people and business,” said the Minister.

 

 

The announcement by Landsvirkjun stated that Landsvirkjun has established the project in 2005, “when the company bought almost one-third in Theistareykir ehf.

To ensure land use and environmental security for the Theistareykir area local authorities and energy companies have collaborated since 2006. It required an extensive consultation with stakeholders.  Emphasis was placed on integrating utilization and protection in order to take into account the nature and nature conservation in power plant and construction.

In 2008, wells on site had reached more than 45 MW and the next two years Landsvirkjun increased its stake in the company up to 97%. In 2010, environmental impact assessment approved up to 200 MW and in 2013 the Theistareykir area was approved as a utilisation area as part of the country’s Generla Master Plan.  In 2014,  Theistareykir ehf. merged into Landsvirkjun and last spring construction of the power plant begun. ”

The player above shows TV coverage from Icelandic TV station 2.

Source: Vísir.is