2018 was an eventful and educational year in the diverse operations of Reykjavik Energy and its subsidiaries. Here are some key events.
2018 was an eventful and educational year in the diverse operations of Reykjavik Energy and its subsidiaries. Here are some key events.
Situation better than it initially seemed when a fire broke out on the roof of the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant. A gas leak turned out to be the likely cause. Nobody was hurt but the powerhouse suffered some damage. It had little effect on energy production.
Soil bacteria was detected in potable water from Heidmörk. There was no danger but vulnerable groups were advised to boil the water. The situation was short-lived but a variety of remedies were applied.
The payers of the bond which RE issued in connection with the sale of the company’s shares in HS Orka in 2009 paid off the bond. The payment amounted to ISK 4 billion and reduces the financial risk of Reykjavik Energy.
Research conducted by Veitur Utilities detected a very small amount of microplastics in the water, but they were nevertheless detected. This is the first research of this kind conducted in Iceland and it has fuelled the debate on the problem and development of methods to evaluate it.
Veitur Utilities closes the customer service desk in Akranes after moisture damage was discovered in the building in Dalbraut.
The international Fitch Ratings agency upgrades Reykjavik Energy’s credit rating. Later in the month, Moody's does the same.
A decision is made to lower the water charges of most of Veitur Utilities’ water utilities. The decrease will be 10% in the biggest utilities – in Reykjavík and Akranes – and then the percentage will depend on the performance of each of Veitur’s water utilities.
CEO Bjarni Bjarnason announces in a presentation on Reykjavik Energy’s Science Day that research and development projects at the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, which have received billions of krónur in foreign grants, have saved the companies in the Group ISK 13 billion.
The Reykjavik Fibre Network and municipality of Árborg reach an agreement on the installation of fibre optics for the entire population of the municipality.
ON Power opens a charging station in Reykjahlíð in Mývatn. This means that there are charging stations all around the Ring Road.
The Reykjavik Fibre Network and Reykjanesbær agree on the installation of fibre optics for the town.
In April #metoo workshops are held for all the staff of the Reykjavik Energy Group to meet and openly discuss the issue: how do we want things to be and what do we need to change?
The CEO of Veitur Utilities, Inga Dóra Hrólfsdóttir, and Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson sign a contract for the acquisition of two hot water tanks in Öskjuhlíd. The tanks are to be used for the nature exhibition and new tanks will be built instead.
A new sewage treatment plant in Akranes comes into use and the town joins the group of municipalities that fulfil sewage treatment requirements in accordance with regulations.
The Reykjavik Fibre Network and municipality of Vogar make an agreement regarding the installation of fibre optics for the population of the municipality.
Veitur Utilities’s new sewage treatment plant in Borgarnes comes into use. There are four Veitur Utilities organic sewage treatment plants in the upcountry of Borgarbyggd, one of the country's most extensive municipalities.
ON Power opens two hydrogen refuelling stations for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles on Vesturlandsvegur in Reykjavík and Fitjum in Reykjanesbær. ON Power will produce hydrogen.
The first evaluation conducted in accordance with new international sustainability assessment standards for geothermal steam plants reveals that “The Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant has a negligible negative impact on the environment and community and has an important positive social and economic effect.”
The Reykjavik Fibre Network is one of the founding members of a new international association of fibre network companies that wants to bring Gigbit fibre optic connections all the way to homes and businesses and to guarantee the option of powerful telecom services.
Water is transported down a new Veitur Utilities 7 kilometre-long supply pipeline for hot water in Ölfus and Thorlákshöfn.
ON Power makes agreement with international start-up company Algaennovation regarding facilities and various energy-related supplies for the cultivation of microalgae in ON Power’s geothermal park at the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant.
The Reykjavik Fibre Network is nominated for the international Carriers World Awards, which is one of the most cutting edge telecommunication infrastructure companies in the wholesale sector.
Following allegations of an unfair dismissal of a woman in middle management and a male-oriented workplace culture at Reykjavik Energy, CEO Bjarni Bjarnason temporarily steps aside, while the case is examined and an assessment of the workplace culture is conducted. He is temporarily replaced by lawyer Helga Jónsdóttir.
A decision is taken to make the head of ON Power’s Corporate Markets division, Berglind Rán Ólafsdóttir, the temporary CEO of ON Power, following the dismissal of Bjarni Már Júlíusson.
Reykjavik Energy and its partners receive a grant of more than ISK 2 billion from the EU horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The grant is for the GECO project which aims to develop a zero emission utilisation of geothermal energy.
Reykjavik Energy presents its ideas for changing the appearance of the western side of the headquarters in Bæjarháls, which has been evacuated for a period due to serious moisture damage.
For the first time in Iceland and probably in many other countries both the students and masters in electrical mechanics studies are women. These are ON Power employees Aníta Sigurbjörg Emilsdóttir, who obtained a journeyman's certificate, and her master Kristín Birna Fossdal.
Veitur Utilities announces that soon UV light treatment will be applied to part of the cold water which residents in the capital receive from water sources in Heidmörk. This reduces the chances of soil bacteria being carried into the water supply.
ON Power launches a new charging station at Vegamot in Snaefellsnes. It is the second charging station ON Power owns and operates at Snaefellsnes, earlier in the year a charging station was launched in Olafsvik.
The installation of fibre optics is completed in Kópavogur and all its residents now have the option of choosing a 1 Gigabit connection with the Reykjavik Fibre Network.
ON Power and the data centre company Etix Everywhere Borealis sign an electricity supply contract for the development of data centres in Blönduós and the capital area.
Results of assessment conducted by internal auditors of personnel issues and workplace culture are presented at a press conference. The workplace culture at Reykjavik Energy and its subsidiaries is better than most others in the Icelandic labour market and the dismissal of the two executives is considered to be justified.
The Board of Directors of Reykjavik Energy approves the adoption of reforms in accordance with the recommendations of the internal auditors regarding personnel issues. Bjarni Bjarnason returns as CEO.
ON Power launches the company’s 50th charging station in Geysir in Haukadalur. An important step for tourism, says managing director Berglind Rán.
