Powering Iceland's Hydro Development

Approximately 75% of Iceland's electricity is generated from hydroelectric power. Mannvit Engineering has participated in the preliminary work and/or construction of most of the hydropower plants and dams that have been built in Iceland since the late 1960s.

A builder and designer of hydropower plants on Iceland and abroad. This is the 90MW Vatnsfell Power Station, southern Iceland. (Photo: Mannvit)

A builder and designer of hydropower plants on Iceland and abroad. This is the 90MW Vatnsfell Power Station, southern Iceland. (Photo: Mannvit)

 

Mannvit specialists offer a comprehensive suite of hydroelectric design and consulting services, including engineering, environmental impact assessment , project planning, project management and supervision. The company offers consultancy in all phases of hydroelectric power development, from hydroelectric dams, spillways, and tunnels, to power transmission lines and electrical substations.

The company has designed and built complete hydropower plants  and power transmission systems in Iceland and abroad.  With installed systems from 1MW to 690MW, Mannvit has completed a number of large and small systems.

Recent project highlights:

 

  • The 690 MW Karahnjukar Hydroelectric Power Station in East Iceland harnesses two glacial  rivers. The complex comprises a rockfill dam as well as several smaller dams, an underground power station and two 400 kV transmission lines, each approximately 50 km long, supplying power to the Alcoa Fjardaal Aluminum Smelter Plant.

    Mannvit services:
    Site investigation, environmental impact assessment  report, assessment of harnessing choices, civil works design, structural and mechanical design including preliminary and final design. Additionally, Mannvit handled cost estimates, tender documents, contract documents, bid evaluation and project planning, as well as participating in testing, commissioning and start-up, and site supervision. The company also designed the 400 kV transmission lines.

  • The 90 MW Vatnsfell Hydroelectric Power Station  was constructed in 1999 - 2001. It utilizes the head in the diversion canal between Lake Thorisvatn and the Sigalda Station reservoir, located in southern Iceland. There is one main dam, the Vatnsfell Dam, and two small saddle dams.

    Mannvit services:
    Feasibility studies, assessment of harnessing choices, site investigation, EIA report, civil works design, structural and mechanical design including preliminary and final design. Additionally, the company handled cost estimates, tender documents, contract documents, bid evaluations, project planning, and design of the 220 kV transmission lines.

 

About Mannvit

Mannvit Engineering is dedicated to the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and other efforts to reduce the effects of climate change.  Founded in 1963, Mannvit has over 40 years of experience in hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, geothermal district heating and numerous other projects in-line with the company's commitment to slowing climate change.

Visit the Mannvit website.

Article produced by Eilif Ursin Reed 16.11.2009

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