An Icelandic geologist claims it’s “irresponsible and a huge mistake” to build an aluminium smelter in Helguvík on Reykjanes peninsula, and that plans thereof do not add up.
Geologist Sigmundur Einarsson has followed the energy developments in Iceland and blogged about them for years. He says there isn’t sufficient energy to be harnessed for a new aluminium smelter in Helguvík, dv.is reports.
A 2009 report from the National Energy Authority claims that energy from high temperature areas in the Southwest could increase by 8-900MW over the next 50 years. But that entails that energy would be harnessed from Reykjanes, Svartsengi, Krýsuvík, Brennisteinsfjöll and Hengill geothermal areas.
Sigmundur says that would be pure exploitation and the energy would run out within 100 years, but according to NEA standards, high temperature geothermal harnessing is not considered sustainable unless the energy production lasts between 100-300 years.
New Minister of Industry and Commerce Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir urges that the aluminium smelter in Helguvík should rise as soon as possible.
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