Ölfus cancels invitation for Hafró at community meeting on Heidelberg factory near Þorlákshöfn

The municipality of Ölfus recently canceled its invitation for the Marine Research Institute, Hafró, to participate in a community meeting concerning the proposed Heidelberg factory near Þorlákshöfn. The municipality explained that the agenda had become “full,” leaving no room for Hafró. Despite this, Hafró expressed its desire to join the meeting. However, a representative from Ölfus declined the offer. Notably, this marked the first instance Hafró was excluded, with Heidelberg not extending an invitation to them for any of its six prior community discussions.

Hafró has voiced opposition to large-scale underwater material extraction related to the factory’s establishment, having submitted two critical assessments concerning the planned quarrying of marine gravel. The majority of the gravel intended for the cement production will be sourced from offshore locations near Landeyjahöfn, which Hafró opposes based on environmental concerns.

Attention has arisen over the lack of participation invitations for Hafró and other governmental institutions in discussions regarding the factory, prompting criticism from residents and minority council members in Ölfus. Some residents expressed disappointment that only a large corporation led the public discourse through largely one-sided meetings.

As public opinions remain divided regarding the factory, a community vote is currently underway in Ölfus. Recent meetings have drawn mixed reactions, with some attendees finding them informative, while others criticized them as mere showcases favoring Heidelberg’s interests.

While the municipality engaged a consultant to prepare for the meeting, the mayor suggested that it was the consultant who advised against Hafró’s attendance, distancing the municipality from this decision. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between civic engagement and corporate interests in environmental matters within the region.