Geothermal Development in Iceland 2005-2009

Abstract

Due to it´s location Iceland has very favourable conditions for geothermal development. The geothermal resources are utilized both for electricity generation and direct heat application. The share of geothermal energy in the nation´s primary energy supply is 62%. Space heating is the most important direct utilization of geothermal energy in Iceland, covering 89% of all space heating in the country. Other sectors of direct use are swimming pools, snow melting, industry, greenhouses and fish farming. The total direct use of geothermal energy is estimated to be 24,600 TJ (6,830 GWh) in 2009. Generation of electricity by geothermal energy has increased rapidly during the past few years, mainly due to increased demand in the energy intensive industry. The total installed capacity is now 575 MWe and the annual generation in 2008 was 4,038 GWh, which is 24.5% of the total electricity production in the country.