Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (English: Reykjavík Energy) is an Icelandic energy and

utility company A public utility company (usually just utility) is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure). Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and r ...

that provides electricity, geothermal hot water through

district heating District heating (also known as heat networks or teleheating) is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location through a system of insulated pipes for residential and commercial heating requirements such as space heating a ...

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 Reykjavík ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay. Its latitude is 64°08' N, making it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. With a po ...

(93.5%) and the Municipalities of

Akranes Akranes () is a port town and municipality on the west coast of Iceland, around north of the capital Reykjavík. The area where Akranes is located was settled in the 9th century; however, it did not receive a municipal charter until 1942. His ...

(5.5%) and

Borgarbyggð Borgarbyggð () is a municipality in the west of Iceland. The biggest township in the municipality is Borgarnes, with a population of 1,887 inhabitants. Other densely populated areas in the municipality include Bifröst, Hvanneyri, Kleppjárnsre ...

(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, limit financial risks, and protect intellectual property.

Geothermal plants

Orkuveita Reykjavíkur owns and operates the Nesjavellir and Hellisheiði geothermal power 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