Icelandic energy company to boost production by 67% with new hydropower plant

Orkubú Vestfjarða (OV), the Westfjords Energy company, has been granted a permit to construct a new 9.9 MW hydropower plant in Kvíslatungur, located in Selárdalur within the Strandabyggð municipality. The Environmental and Energy Agency issued the permit on July 1, which also includes authorization for changes to water flows in several nearby lakes and rivers.

With the commissioning of the Kvíslatunguvirkjun plant, OV anticipates a substantial 67% increase in its annual electricity production capacity. The company expects the new facility, slated to start operations in September 2028, to greatly enhance the reliability of electricity supply for residents in the Strandir area.

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This is a major step in strengthening the electricity system in the Westfjords, especially concerning the security of electricity supply in Strandabyggð and on the Strandir coast, as the plant ensures electricity delivery from two directions for Hólmavík and its surroundings.

OV highlighted the project's significance for the region's power infrastructure. "This is a major step in strengthening the electricity system in the Westfjords, especially concerning the security of electricity supply in Strandabyggð and on the Strandir coast," a company statement read. The plant is designed to ensure electricity delivery to Hólmavík and its surroundings from two separate sources.

"The plant is thus a textbook example of how to ensure the security of electricity supply, on the one hand through connection to the transmission system and on the other hand by building power plants near users," the statement continued. The company emphasized that this dual approach guarantees a more stable and secure power grid for the local population.

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The plant is thus a textbook example of how to ensure the security of electricity supply, on the one hand through connection to the transmission system and on the other hand by building power plants near users.