Information meeting on the good results of geothermal exploration

This week, Guðlaugur Þ. Þórðarson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, called an information meeting on the good results of geothermal exploration in recent months and seasons. There, Árni Magnússon, CEO of ÍSOR, presented, among other things, the results of research on the…

This week, Guðlaugur Þ. Þórðarson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, called an information meeting on the good results of geothermal exploration in recent months and seasons. There, Árni Magnússon, CEO of ÍSOR, presented, among other things, the results of research on the possibilities of utilizing low-temperature geothermal energy on Reykjanes, which was undertaken in view of the situation that has arisen in the area due to repeated volcanic eruptions and the imminent risk of a reduction in hot water because of them.

The results of exploratory drilling revealed that, by utilizing the geothermal water that was found during it, the area can in the shorter term be kept frost-free and thereby major damage to infrastructure can be prevented, should it come to the worst and Svartsengi not be available. Despite those positive results, it is urgent to continue research in the area and prepare for the harnessing of the hot water that was found there. A recording from the minister's information meeting can be found below.