Power Plants of Iceland
Welcome to our custom-made tour of select power plants in Iceland. As you might already know, Iceland is world-leading in producing and using power from renewable sources, mainly hydro and geothermal. Around 99% of the electricity used in Iceland comes from these two sources.
Experience clean, sustainable energy. See the Power Plants in Iceland.
We will visit six power plants, four hydroelectric and two geothermal plants on this tour.
First off, we will drive to the geothermal plant at Nesjavellir, southwest of the Þingvellir National Park. Here we can view the plant and its facilities safely as the area is more or less closed to visitors. But the settings and the landscape are breathtaking, as is the rumbling power coming from the plant.
The next stop is one of three hydro plants on the river Sog, which is the drainage from the Lake Þingvallavatn. We will start with visiting the Ljosafoss plant, where you can enjoy a visit to the Visitor Center (opening hours permitting) to learn about the plant and its sister plants on the same river.
After the Ljosafoss plant, we will visit its nearby sister plants: Irafoss and Steingrimsstod.
After exploring these plants and facilities, we will drive downstream to where Sog drains into the mighty Hvita river, thus creating Iceland’s largest river by volume, and towards the giant Hellisheidarvirkjun Geothermal Plant. After driving past and around the structures and buildings, you will visit the Geothermal Show (opening hours permitting), where you will learn about the harnessing of geothermal energy in Iceland.
Last but not least, we will stop at the old and now inoperative Ellidaarvirkjun hydro plant, which is located literally in the middle of Reykjavik. The plant, essential for the growth and development of Reykjavik, started power production in 1921. The old building and equipment are protected by law and are kept in reasonable condition by the Cultural Heritage Agency.
Optional stop
Time and weather permitting, we might visit the ruins of the old hydro plant in the river Varma. Built in 1929, it provided electricity to a dairy that operated close by. It contributed to the settlement of what is now the town of Hveragerdi.
Tour length: 7-8 hours
Included: Car, driver-guide, entrance to Visitor Center and Geothermal Show
What to bring: Good shoes, warm clothes, a camera, a water bottle
