Skip to content

Geothermal

Geothermal energy flows continuously from the Earth’s core to the surface. Iceland is one of the regions in the world where geothermal heat can reach the surface through a volcanic zone across the country.

Continuously Renewable Energy Source Notwithstanding Use

High-temperature areas are connected to magma chambers and intrusions in the volcanic zones. In high-temperature regions where surface water trickles down, the water reaches magma chambers, heats up, and rises back to the surface.

The liquid that comes up through the boreholes in high-temperature areas is a mixture of boiling water and steam.

The steam is used to propel the turbines that convert the thermal energy of the steam into electricity. Subsequently, the steam condenses into water and is diverted back into the water cycle.

How is electricity generated from geothermal heat?

Geothermal

Three geothermal power stations

Landsvirkjun operates three power stations that use geothermal energy to generate electricity. These power stations are all located in the Northeast:

Krafla Power Station uses a mixture of high- and low-pressure geothermal steam from 18 production wells to propel two turbines, with installed capacity of 30 MW each. Landsvirkjun acquired Krafla Power Station in 1985.

Þeistareykir Geothermal Station was the first geothermal power station that Landsvirkjun initially constructed. Þeistareykir Power Station went online in 2017, when the first 45 MW turbine unit was started, followed by the second one a year later. The principal object of the construction was to build an efficient and dependable power station in harmony with the environment and nature.

Bjarnarflag Power Station in Mývatnssveit was the first geothermal power station constructed in Iceland. The power station went online in 1969, commissioned by Laxá Power Station. However, Landsvirkjun acquired the power station when the two companies were joined in 1983. Bjarnarflag Power Station's installed capacity is 5 MW and utilises steam from the geothermal area around Mt. Námafjall.

Take a look at our power stations