Landsnet partners with Landsvirkjun for Iceland’s first wind farm integration into electricity network

Landsnet has reached an agreement with Landsvirkjun to distribute electricity from the Búrfell wind farm, marking the first time wind energy will be integrated into the country’s distribution network.

The collaboration will connect the so-called Búrfellslund to the electrical transmission system, representing one of the largest energy initiatives in Iceland since the commissioning of the Fljótsdalur and Hellisheidi power plants. This wind farm will be located below the Sultartangi Dam in the Rangárþing ytra region and will feature up to 30 wind turbines over 18 square kilometers, each reaching a maximum height of 150 meters—substantially taller than the typical 30-meter high voltage masts.

Guðmundur Ingi Ásmundsson, CEO of Landsnet, commented on this undertaking as a significant milestone, emphasizing it as the first project of its scale in Iceland and a pivotal moment in establishing wind energy as the third pillar in the nation’s electricity system.

The agreement serves as a critical condition for the National Energy Authority to approve the operating license for Landsvirkjun. The wind farm is expected to generate 120 megawatts of power, producing approximately 400 gigawatt-hours annually. Guðmundur noted that this timing is crucial as there is a pressing demand for electricity to facilitate energy transitions.

Preparations for construction are already underway, with the project set for completion and electricity distribution to commence by the end of 2026. The cost of these substantial operations is estimated at 2.5 billion ISK, reflecting the project’s significance in Iceland’s energy landscape.