Veitur to evaluate geothermal heating in Álftanes, Iceland

Álftanes, Iceland (source: Hansueli Krapf  This file was uploaded with Commonist., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Carlo Cariaga 14 Feb 2024

Veitur, a subsidiary of Reykjavik Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavíkur / OR), will soon drill nine (9) research boreholes in Álftanes, Iceland to evaluate the site’s potential for geothermal heating. Drilling is expected to take place within February and March 2024.

Veitur is undertaking exploration in the Álftanes area to possibly increase hot water supply to the capital. The demand for hot water in the capital region is constantly increasing in line with the increase in the population and the increase in residential and commercial buildings. The hot water in the heating supply comes today from ON’s geothermal power plants in Hellisheði and Nesjavellir and four low-temperature areas within the capital area. Additional hot water supply from low-temperature resources will help increase the power capacity of the heating plant and improve its operational reliability.

Research boreholes will be drilled to depths of 60 to 100 meters. Drilling will take between one to three days for each borehole. There will be no road construction needed and disturbance will be kept to a minimum as drilling will be done by light equipment. The target locations for drilling are shown in the figure below.

Source: Veitur