Testing the New Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol on Hellisheidi Geothermal Heat and Power Plant

Abstract

Hellisheiði Geothermal Heat and Power Plant (Hellisheiði), located in SW Iceland, is the first geothermal powerplant in operation to be assessed under the Geothermal Sustainability Assessment Protocol (GSAP). The GSAP is an assessment tool for sustainability and is modelled on the international Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP). At the core of both protocols is the promotion of proven best practices for energy development worldwide. The protocols are products of a wide consensus of stakeholders, including international NGOs, governments and financial institutions. The GSAP is still in development stage and the Hellisheiði assessment was its second test. The assessment for operational stage consists of a detailed review of 16 topics, giving an holistic assessment on how well the plant conforms to international best practices for sustainable development. The assessment was carried out by two independent assessors in 2017/2018 and included a site visit, 70 interviews with internal and external stakeholders and 505 documented evidences. Before the final report was released, a draft was discussed in workshops with both internal and external stakeholders. Hellisheiði meets proven best practice on six topics, while exceeding basic good practices on six topics. The project meets basic good practices on two topics and two topics were deemed irrelevant for the project. The results of the assessment show that Hellisheidi has low adverse environmental and social impacts, and important positive socio-economic effects, primarily by supplying clean and low-cost power to the national electricity grid and hot water to serve heat demand in the capital area of Reykjavík and neighbouring communities. District heating in particular makes an important contribution to the quality of life in Iceland. The assessment’s results are currently being followed up by a detailed action plan to address the identified gaps.