Svartsengi

Key Specs

Full Name: Svartsengi

Development Phase: Operational

Installed Capacity: 0.0 MW

Operational Capacity: 0.0 MW

Investment: 240

Completion Date: 1999

Location: Svartsengi

Country: Iceland

Region: Europe and Middle East

A drilling search for steam in Svartengis area began in in the middle of November 1971, when a 700 meter hole was scheduled to be drilled. At a depth of 250 meters the heat was around 200 B0C; in the first phase three holes were drilled and the deepest one was about 400 meters. These holes were used for hot water production in the thermal energy exchange plant which was built in 1976. Immediately after the utilization of these steamholes, the separated sea created a lagoon which today is now more famously called, Blue Lagoon. The first houses , in GrindavC-k, received water on the 6th of November 1976 and year later, on the 30th of December in 1977, the first houses in NjarC0vC-k as well.

Hot water used at Reykjanes peninsula is orginal fresh water. Fresh water is pumped to the plant were the oxygen and natural CO2 is taken out and the water is heated up to 101 bB0C in heat exchangers with high pressure steam. Then the water is pumped to the municipalities at Reykjanes peninsula. So there is no need for kettles when customers need hot water, only to flash the hot water at the sink, put the cup under and they have hot water.

The Svartengi plant has been build in phases. The first plant (Power plant 1) was built in the year 1977 - 1979 and the last one (Power plant 6) was built from the year 2006 - 2008.

Today, the total production capability of the energy plant in Svartsengi is 75 MW in electrical energy and about 150 MW in thermal energy. (HS Orka)