The Germans might have branded and brought the term Energiewende into the global vocabulary. But when Iceland started, nobody was thinking about it.  The energy transition from carbon based fuels to renewables began over 100 years ago. It started off slowly with hydro powering just the lights but fully took off when Ljósafoss power plant began producing power for the city of Reykjavik in 1937. The plant made it possible for homes to stop relying on burning coal for cooking and at the same time, geothermal began to replace heating in the capital.

Networking excursion to Ljósafoss hydro plant

Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland, invites participants of CHARGE to a Magnet Networking Excursion to the Ljósafoss Power Plant. The excursion will serve as a grand finale of CHARGE 2018 on the 25th of September. After the conference programme concludes, participants will go straight to buses that will take them on an energy excursion like no other. Participants will travel outside of Reykjavik through the iconic Icelandic landscape to the powerplant. At the powerplant, Landsvirkjun will host a reception for participants at the plant’s interactive energy exhibition space.

Ljósafoss Hydro Power Plant Facts

Ljósafoss plant was first of three stations that utilise power from the river Sog. The plant was designed by architect Sigurður Guðmundsson in Funkis style which is a unique Nordic flavor of Functionalism and features decorations by sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson. The Ljósafoss plant hosts an interactive exhibition. The exhibition emphasises on play and experience where the nature and characteristics of electricity are shown in multiple forms and guests are led through the world of electricity in new and creative ways

Learn more about Iceland’s Energy Transition

At CHARGE last year, Hörður Arnarson – CEO of Landsvirkjun, went over the company’s history and its role in Iceland’s 100% renewable electricity and how the company has been repositioning itself over the years.