Geothermal Power Plant Undergoes a Sustainability Assessment
Landsvirkjun has taken a lead role in sustainability assessment of geothermal power plants under the auspices of Mannvit by developing a sustainability protocol in partnership with Orkuveita Reykjavikur (Reykjavik Energy), HS Orka and the Icelandic Environment Agency. Landsvirkjun is currently constructing the 1st phase 45 MW of the 90 MWe Theistareykir geothermal power plant in Northern Iceland. The plant recently underwent the first assessment of sustainability of the newly created protocol developed under the Project Management of Mannvit. The new protocol named Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol (GSAP), is based on the international Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP).
A PR from Landsvirkjun states that “The assessment consists in a detailed review of 17 different topics relating to the preparations for the Theistareykir Power Plant, which are designed to provide an overview of how well the plant and its operations conform to international criteria on sustainable development. Examples of the categories assessed are communication and consultation, environmental and social management, labour and working conditions, geothermal resource utilization and biodiversity.”