Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station

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The Nejsavellir power plant ( Isl: Nesjavallavirkjun ) is the second largest geothermal power plant in Iceland. It is located in the southwest of the island near Þingvellir and the Hengill volcano.

History of Architecture and performance of the power plant

The construction was started in 1987 and the foundation of the power plant was laid on 13 May 1990 after the two previous decades extensive exploration of geothermal conditions were carried out. On September 29, 1990, the power plant of the parastatal company Orkuveita Reykjavíkur went into operation.

In the first phase of the power plant with 4 wells from 1000 to 2000 m depth produced approximately 100 MW total capacity of about 560 liters per second of hot water. In 1995, a fifth well was put into operation and the capacity increased to 150 MW with 840 liters per second of hot water. 1998 two steam turbines were put into operation in June 2001 and a third, with a total production of 90 MW of electricity. Gradually 5 more holes were tapped and increases the total capacity to 200 MW with more than 1100 liters per second of hot water.

The current capacity of the power plant amounts to 120 MW of electricity and 300 MW of thermal energy, corresponding to about 1800 liters per second of hot water. Thus, the power plant has reached its targeted maximum power of about 400 MW.

It is estimated that the geothermal energy of the region is sufficient to operate the power plant with the total power for about 30 years. After that, the energy production of Nejsavellir will decrease. In order to meet the energy needs of the Reykjavík region in the future, further exploratory drilling in the region Hengill be taken.

Since 2008, another, even larger power plant of the same operator uses the energy of the Hengill area, which Hellisheiði power plant.

In particular, in the region of Kolviðarhóll and Ölfusvatn also more geothermal resources are suspected.

Construction costs

The construction cost of the power plant amounted according to the operator ( Orkuveita Reykjavíkur ) in 1998 prices as follows:

  • Research and holes U.S. $ 32.9 million
  • Phase 1, up to the capacity of 100 MW, U.S. $ 45.9 million
  • Phase 2, expansion of capacity 150 MW U.S. $ 7 million
  • Phase 3, expanding the capacity of 200 MW and 60 MW of electricity (estimated) U.S. $ 55 million
  • Main pipeline to Reykjavík U.S. $ 41.5 million
  • High-voltage line to Reykjavík (estimated) U.S. $ 7 million
Geothermal power in Iceland
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