Iceland commissions its first wind farm

Iceland’s first wind farm, Vaðölduver, was commissioned on Tuesday, according to Icelandic news outlet mbl.is. The ceremony took place below Sultartangalón in the Þjórsá and Tungnaá region in calm weather.

Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Daði Már Kristófersson started the wind farm. “Personally, as someone who has been passionate about gadgets since childhood, I would have wanted to squeal and jump up and down when I did this,” he said.

“This is simply fantastic. It is a very significant milestone,” Daði told mbl.is. “We are beginning a new chapter in the history of energy production for the Icelandic nation. Here we have a resource that we know will never run out.”

Fourteen wind turbines have been erected this year, with 14 more expected to be built next year.

Daði said conditions in the region were known to be favourable. Landsvirkjun, Iceland’s national power company, has operated two nearby wind turbines on a trial basis for several years.

“This is the first serious project,” he said.