Minister for the Environment Svandís Svavarsdóttir told RÚV that Canadian energy company Magma Energy is “running roughshod over the people”, and attempting to get away with as much as they can.
As previously reported, Magma Energy – which recently acquired a 98% stake in HS Orka (despite CEO Ross Beaty telling the Grapevine last fall that the company had “no interest” in getting a majority stake in the company) – has expressed an interest in conducting geothermal exploration around Kerlingafjöll mountain, one of Iceland’s natural treasures.
Minister for the Environment Svandís Svavarsdóttir told RÚV, “I think that this shows us, first and foremost, that this company intends to get away with as much as they can. … I believe that [the prospect of geothermal exploration in the Kerlingafjöll area] shows a lack of consideration towards the government and towards the people in this country.”
For his part, Ásgeir Margeirsson, the director of Magma Energy Iceland, told reporters that, “We are well aware that Kerlingafjöll is a very special place, and it may turn out that there’s no need to explore for geothermal power there. But there might be. There are guidelines in this country, and we plan to follow them.”