Búðarháls Power Station

The power station received a positive assessment of environmental impact in 2001 and following this was granted both a licence to produce electricity and a construction licence. Building commenced at the beginning of November in 2010 and is estimated to begin delivery of energy at the end of 2013. The estimated power of the station is about 95 MW and its energy capacity is up to 585 GW per annum.

In the proposal for a parliamentary resolution on the Master Plan that was presented in the autumn of 2011 the Búðarháls Power Station, along with fifteen other options, is not categorised in the appropriate for development category, the awaiting further consideration category or in the appropriate for protection category. The power station options in question are not within the scope of Act number 48/2011, on protection and development of hydropower and geothermal resources.

On the one hand because they include power station options that have already received the required licences, including construction and/or operational licenses. This applies to both Búðarháls Power Station and Hellisheiði Power Station.

On the other hand, there are power station options located in an area that enjoys protection. These thirteen options are within the Vatnajökull National Park and within the protected area at Fjallabak in the Torfajökull area.