Iceland: Capacity at Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant Decreasing by 2.3% Per Year

Additional wells required to maintain output Hellisheidi geothermal plant (ThinkGeoEnergy)

ON Power, the operator of the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant in Iceland expects additional investment need of $221 million over the next 6 years, to maintain operating at the installed capacity of 303 MW electric.

The power and the light no. 1, by Christopher Mathews. Aurora borealis and cooling towers at Hellisheiði Power Station, Iceland. August 31, 2016. GRC Photo Contest 2013.

Already planned in the overall set up of the 303 MW Hellisheiði geothermal power plant, ON Power – the operator – now needs to actually drill additional wells to maintain its operating capacity.

The steam supply in the Hengill geothermal area that fuels the plant is decreasing at around 2.3% every year. With an installed capacity of 303 MW the plant is currently operating with an output of 276 MW.

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