Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (English: Reykjavík Energy) is an Icelandic energy and utility company that provides electricity, geothermal hot water through district heating and cold water for consumption and fire fighting. It also operates a wholesale access fiber network and waste-treatment facilities. The company's service area extends to 20 communities in the south-west part of Iceland. Orkuveita Reykjavíkur is owned by the City of Reykjavík (93.5%) and the Municipalities of Akranes (5.5%) and Borgarbyggð (1%).

History

Orkuveita Reykjavíkur was established 1 January 1999, by uniting Rafmagnsveita Reykjavíkur and Hitaveita Reykjavíkur. Rafmagnsveita Reykjavíkur was established in the year 1921. Hitaveita Reykjavíkur became an independent company in 1946, having been in operation as a City entity since 1930. In the year 2000 Vatnsveita Reykjavíkur was united with Orkuveita Reykjavíkur, but the former started operation 16 June 1909. Orkuveita Reykjavíkur was obliged by law to unbundle its operations by January 1, 2014. Thus came about the subsidiaries

Orka náttúrunnar ON Power ( Icelandic: Orka náttúrunnar), is an Icelandic power company, headquartered in Reykjavík, that produces and sells electricity to industry and households by harnessing renewable, mainly geothermal, resources. ON Power also provides w ...

ohf. (English: ON Power plc.) and Veitur ohf. (English: Veitur Utilities plc.). January 1, 2007, the subsidiary Gagnaveita Reykjavíkur (English: Reykjavík Fibre Network ltd.) commenced operations. In 2020 Carbfix became a subsidiary to further support

climate action Climate change mitigation is action to limit climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases or removing those gases from the atmosphere. The recent rise in global average temperature is mostly caused by emissions from fossil fuels b ...

, limit financial risks, and protect intellectual property.

Geothermal plants

Orkuveita Reykjavíkur owns and operates the

Nesjavellir The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station ( is, Nesjavallavirkjun, ) is the second-largest geothermal power station in Iceland. The facility is located above sea level in the southwestern part of the country, near Þingvellir National Park and th ...

and Hellisheiði

geothermal power Geothermal power is electrical power generated from geothermal energy. Technologies in use include dry steam power stations, flash steam power stations and binary cycle power stations. Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 2 ...

stations. The plants are cogeneration plants (CHP) provide both electricity and hot water to industries and households in the Reykjavík capital area. 99% of housing in this area is heated with hot water provided by geothermal sources. Both plants are situated in the Hengill region; an active volcanic ridge.

Board and management

The board of directors at Orkuveita Reykjavíkur is appointed by the Reykjavík and Akranes City Councils. Reykjavík appoints five members and Akranes appoints one. The Borgarbyggð Council appoints an attending representative. As of 2014, Dr. Brynhildur Davidsdottir is Orkuveita Reykjavíkur's chairman of the board. Bjarni Bjarnason is CEO.

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orkuveita Reykjavikur Electric power companies of Iceland Water supply and sanitation in Iceland

History

Geothermal plants

Board and management

See also

References

External links