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Master Plan for
Hydro and Geothermal Energy Resources in Iceland
Intended Master Plan for Hydro and Geothermal Energy Resources in Iceland
Background Policy decisions as to land use can have a significant/profound and prolonged impact on Nature, regional development, employment and on society at large. Carefully thought-out decision-making will minimise the risk of mistakes and enhance co-operation of all partners affected by the decisions being taken. Consequently, the Government of Iceland has decided to initiate a process with the aim of developing a Master Plan for Hydro and Geothermal Energy Resources. The process will be scientifically based and open for democratic public involvement.
In the preparatory process of the Master Plan, a large number of proposed power projects will be evaluated and categorized on the basis of efficiency and economic profitability, as well as how they will benefit the economy as a whole. Also considered will be the implications for employment and regional development, in addition to the impact on the environment, nature and wildlife, landscape, cultural heritage and ancient monuments, grazing and other traditional land use, out-door life, fishing and hunting.
Scientifically based and open to public opinion Responsibility for the project Procedure
An open process
It is expected that about 100 project proposals will be evaluated. The Steering Committee was established in April 1999 and the Working Groups in February 2000. The Steering Committee expects to finalise the evaluation of the first 25 project proposals by the end of the year 2002.
Iceland has been blessed with extensive resources of renewable hydro and geothermal energy. However, only a portion of these energy resources have as yet been harnessed. No doubt further development of energy production in Iceland will be a challenging task, as user interests other than those concerned solely with energy, will have to be taken into account.
The Master Plan will be based on the best available scientific information. Furthermore, in order to establish confidence in the process by the public at large, the public and NGOs will be informed as to the findings of the experts at all stages of the evaluation process. In order to facilitate public participation, the Government has assigned Landvernd, the National Association for the Protection of the Icelandic Environment, a non Government Organisation, with the task of establishing a forum for discussion and information exchange. This forum is based on an interactive homepage, open meetings and workshops, and co-operation with the media.
The Ministry of Industry, in co-operation with the Ministry of the Environment, has established a special Steering Committee for the project. The Committee, comprised of 16 members, has been mandated to develop a proposal for a Master Plan for the use of hydro and geothermal energy resources. In its function the Steering Committee will be supported by about 50 experts working in four different working groups.
The National Energy Institute and/or power companies will compile reports on project proposals they wish to have evaluated by the Steering Committee. These reports will be made public and as a first step of the process, the public and interested organisations will have an opportunity to review the reports and offer comments. Subsequently, the reports will be evaluated and graded by the four working groups of experts. The findings of the working groups will then be compiled by the Steering Committee and all projects graded on the basis of their feasibility. Finally, the Steering Committee will categorise the projects´ proposals identifying, on the one hand, proposals that appear to be feasible both in terms of economic implications and environmental consequences; and, on other hand, proposals that for economic reasons and /or environmental consequences, should not be carried out. The result of this work will be a proposed Master Plan for the utilisation of hydro and geothermal energy resources.
All reports will be made public in order to make it possible for the public, interested parties and associations to participate actively in the process. Both the Steering Committee and the Working Groups will receive comments and information from the public during the process. Minutes from the meetings of the Steering Committee will be made public. Reports on individual projects will be presented in open meetings and made accessible on the homepage for the Master Plan.
