An environmental assessment plan for HS Orka’s proposed geothermal development in Eldvörp on the Reykjanes Peninsula is now available for public review in the Planning Agency’s consultation portal. Eldvörp is classified as a utilization area in Iceland’s Master Plan for Nature Protection and Energy Utilization, and the area is considered promising for geothermal development. Discharge testing is currently underway on an older borehole in the area, and the results indicate strong potential for utilization. The plan is to construct gathering pipelines from Eldvörp, with the energy being used in the expanded Svartsengi Power Plant.
Connection Between the Geothermal Areas
Eldvörp has been under consideration by HS Orka for many years. The area contains a borehole drilled in 1983 (EV‑02), which has been used for monitoring and measurements. A new drilling pad was also prepared in 2019. Research in recent years has shown a connection between the geothermal systems in Eldvörp, Svartsengi, and the current reinjection area.
Last year, work began on updating the shared reservoir model for the region, with the aim of gaining a clearer understanding of how production in Eldvörp would affect Svartsengi — and vice versa.
Pipelines Instead of a Power Plant
The proposed project involves utilizing existing research wells and drilling additional wells at established drilling pads in Eldvörp and Skipastígshraun. One to two reinjection wells are also planned from a new drilling pad further south. No power plant is planned in Eldvörp; instead, gathering pipelines will transport geothermal fluid from the production wells to the Svartsengi Power Plant.
Meeting Growing Energy Demand
Utilizing geothermal resources in the area will help meet part of the increasing demand for electricity and hot water across Iceland — particularly in the Suðurnes region, where demand has reached critical levels.
The project aims to increase the production capacity of the Svartsengi Power Plant by up to 25 MW, raising output from 85 MW to 110 MW. The geothermal development and new reinjection area are expected to be operational by mid‑2029.
