Vatnsfell Hydropower Station
Construction began at Vatnsfell Station in June 1999 and the turbines went on stream in autumn 2001. It utilizes the head in the diversion canal between Lake Thórisvatn and the Sigalda Station reservoir Krókslón. A 730 m long and 30 m high dam lies across the canal, plus two side dams, to create a small intake reservoir. Water is carried from the intake in two 126 m steel penstocks, 4.5 m in diameter, to two turbines in the powerhouse with a capacity of 45 MW each. The harnessed head is 67 m. A tailrace canal leads from the station to the Krókslón reservoir. A 220 kV transmission line links the station to the Sigalda Station.
Personnel from Hrauneyjafoss Station service the station. Unlike other hydropower stations in Iceland, Vatnsfell only produces electricity in the winter when water is diverted along a canal from Lake Thórisvatn to Krókslón. This reflects the fact that electricity consumption in Iceland peaks in the winter. Vatnsfell is therefore a peak station, mainly producing during periods of heavy load.