Iceland

Plans for goethermal power

*Private development efforts by HS Orka: 30 MWe at Reykjanies, Varmaorka (small scale plants): 600 kW at Kópsvatn, Varmaorka: 300 kW at Reykholt plant and 600 kW at Efri Reykjar plant.

Direct use

National Energy Authority - The regulator of the energy sector as well as the agency mandated to issue geothermal licenses.

Iceland GeoSurvey  – A government institution which conducts geoscientific research, develops geothermal resources, realizes public education on geothermal energy, trains scientists in the geothermal science field; and participates in international geothermal projects.

Iceland Geothermal Cluster Initiative – The Cluster is a network of geothermal organisations from industry, academy, and government which aims to promote geothermal energy as a competitive renewable energy solution for businesses and society. The scope of the cluster expanded to incorporate all renewable energy resources under the Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster.

Geothermal Research Cluster Initiative (GEORG) – an initiative to promote research, design and engineering in the field of geothermal energy for rapid progress.

*The projects/programmes supported by other partners to promote geothermal development in Europe, including in Iceland can be found HERE.

CarbFix project – An innovative project for CO2 and H2S capture and storage underground at Hellisheidi geothermal site. The project is receiving support from Geothermal Emission Control (GECO) to improve the efficiency of the existing capture and storage infrastructure.

GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme – GRO GTP (formerly United Nations University – Geothermal Training Programme: UNU GTP) – A postgraduate training programme, aiming at assisting developing countries in capacity building within geothermal exploration and development. The programme consists of six months annual training for practicing professionals from developing and transitional countries with significant geothermal potential. The programme also offers MSc and PhD Scholarship in Icelandic Universities to former fellows; and short courses and workshops in Africa, Central America and Asia.

Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) – IDDP is a long-term study of high-temperature hydrothermal systems in Iceland which is supported by Icelandic government and Icelandic power companies and aims to determine the economic viability of generating electricity using super critical geothermal fluids..

National Energy Fund (previously (geothermal drilling mitigation fund) – A state owned fund that offers grants to promote the exploitation of domestic energy sources, among others renewable energy sources, but especially geothermal energy.

The Geothermal Resource Park by HS Orka – A facility that promotes the holistic utilisation of geothermal resources to deliver multiple resource streams to a varied range of businesses by HS Orka at the Svartsengi plant, which includes the Blue Lagoon and a myriad of other companies. It includes thermal baths, skin care products, greenhouse operations, fish dehydration, fish farming and more. [“Geothermal Resource Park” is a registered trademark by HS Orka”

The Geothermal Park by ON Power  – Encompasses a wide range of operations, which aim to utilise the resources of Hellisheidi geothermal power plant in the best way possible, benefit the environment and create value. Arranged facilities where scientists, entrepreneurs and businesses can connect to and do trials with the local resources. Current operations include algae Omega-3 cultivation production, CO2 air capture and storage, silica supplements, microorganism research, and planned power-to-gas production.

Iceland provides support for geothermal development in other countries through capacity building and technical assistance:

Sino-Icelandic Geothermal Research and Development Center – The result of a partnership between Ministry of Science and Technology China and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Iceland for conducting high-level joint research, enhancing exchange and training of researchers, encouraging technology transfer and strengthening the geothermal capacity building in Iceland and China.

Arctic Green Energy - Beijing Research Institute Of Uranium Geology Partnership  – A partnership between Iceland’s Arctic Green Energy Corporation and Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology (BRIUG) established in 2019 to work together to develop high-temperature geothermal fields in China.

East Africa Geothermal Exploration Project – A project supported by Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) to enhance knowledge and capacity mainly in geothermal exploration, as well as to finance early stages of geothermal development, leading to test drilling.

In Iceland, the ownership of resources is based on the ownership of land. However, research and utilization are subject to licensing according to the Act on Survey and Utilization of Ground Resources, No. 57/1998 and the Electricity Act, No. 65/2003. Besides, the Nature Conservation Act, Planning and Building Act and other related acts also regulate and development of natural resources.

The Master Plan Act for Nature Protection and Energy Utilization (“Master Plan”) is used to bridge opposing interests regarding land use in areas with rich energy resources in Iceland. Energy resources covered by the Master Plan are hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, and wind.

ISOR Publications – The Iceland GeoSurvey publishes reports of projects and research carried out for various clients from around the world every year.

GRO GTP Publications – An online database for the six month geothermal training project reports, MSc theses, Guest lecturers presentations, and Proceedings of the Workshops/Short Courses edited and published by the GRO GTP.