Hellisheiðarvirkjun

Hellisheiðarvirkjun, commonly known as Hellisheiði Power Plant, is a geothermal power station on the Hellisheiði plateau in the Hengill volcanic system in southwest Iceland, about 25 kilometers east of Reykjavík. It is operated by Reykjavík Energy (Orkuveita Reykjavíkur) and provides electricity to the Icelandic grid as well as district heating to Reykjavík and surrounding communities.

Construction and capacity: Commercial operation began in 2006, with subsequent expansions to increase its output. The plant has an installed electrical capacity of about 303 megawatts (MW) and a thermal output of around 400 MW for district heating, placing it among the largest geothermal facilities in the world.

Technology and operations: Hellisheiði uses high-temperature geothermal fluids sourced from the Hengill field. In a flash-steam process, hot water is depressurized to produce steam that drives turbines, while the condensate is returned to the loop. The facility is integrated with Reykjavík’s district heating network, enabling efficient use of geothermal energy for both power and heat.

Impact and significance: The plant contributes a substantial portion of Reykjavík’s electricity and heat, supporting Iceland’s low-carbon energy system. It is part of the Hengill geothermal complex, which encompasses several power stations and is a key component of Iceland’s strategy to maximize renewable energy resources.

See also Geothermal energy in Iceland; List of power stations in Iceland.