Hellisheiði power plant marks 20 years

The Hellisheiði power plant formally began operating 20 years ago today, mbl.is reported. Orkuveitan, the parent company of Orka náttúrunnar, built the plant in stages.

Electricity production began in 2006, and the plant’s hot-water station was commissioned in 2010. When Orka náttúrunnar began operating in 2014, the power plant became part of its business.

The plant now has an installed capacity of 303 megawatts. Its electricity supplies homes and businesses across Iceland. It can produce 950 litres of hot water per second, with capacity expected to rise to 1,500 litres per second after the New Year, according to a company announcement.

“For twenty years, the Hellisheiði power plant has been an important foundation for quality of life and value creation in Iceland,” said Árni Hrannar Haraldsson, managing director of Orka náttúrunnar. He said the company was working to increase hot-water production to meet future needs, adding that such development takes time and requires long-term planning.

Orka náttúrunnar will hold an open house at the plant on Saturday from 1pm to 3pm to mark the anniversary.