In harmony with the environment?

The new dam at Kárahnjúkar is gradually being filled. Photo: Odd Iglebaek

Many people look on this massive construction as a real thing of beauty. Others are of the opinion however that it should never have been built: – Nature should be kept intact, they say. Their argument could be based on principle, or it may be that they retain an interest in the wilderness-based tourist industry. They could also be reindeer hunters. There are some three thousand such animals up there on the plateau.

In Norway and Sweden some 60-70% of the available natural waters-resources have already been used to build dams and hydropower stations.

– With the Kárahnjúkar now being close to completion, the figure for Iceland will reach 26%, says Ragnheidur Ólafsdóttir at Landsvirkjun, Iceland´s state-owned power-company:
– If we fulfil the plans to double electricity-production from the 2008 level up to 30 TWh/annually our catchment areas for hydro-power will expand by 35% she adds.
Some people might argue that this is not much while others are of the opposite opinion. In any case the new government of Iceland has decided to pause for reflection in respect of hydro-power. They will spend the coming two years drawing up a framework plan for energy and the environment. This promise can be seen in the new government's political declaration under the chapter: "In harmony with the environment", where they also declare that Iceland should become "a world environmental leader".

In the same paragraphs they also make it clear that the catchment areas of Jökulsá á Fjöllum will be added to the Vatnajökull national park while Langisjór will not be touched for harnessing purposes. Enlargement of the ∏jórsárver nature reserve will also be guaranteed to cover the distinctive wetlands of the area, particularly famous for geese.

Linked to the debate on the environment, is the discussion on the ownership of the land: Should it be common or private? In the new government's declaration one particular clause notes that "priority will be given to resolving the dispute over the ownership of natural resources".

– But this issue is not however related to that of the rights to harness nature for energy-purposes, that will remain a decision of state, explains ∏órunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, the new Minister for the Environment. – The current issue of note is more a debate on 'private versus common' ownership of the wilderness in general, and of course we, as social-democrats, want to keep it common. That is also the opinion of the majority of the population of Iceland, she adds.

She also says that the paragraph beginning: "The time is ripe to unleash the power of private initiative so that the full potential of expertise and 'know-how' can be realised in overseas expansion by energy companies" deals primarily with the export of 'know-how' and with conducting international business in relation to the production of geothermal energy.

One further issue linked to the expansion of the production of electricity in Iceland is that of what to do with it? For example: Should it be sold for export? In the government declaration this theme is not specifically mentioned, but the government is, apparently, open to such future developments: – I cannot however provide any details as to how and when, says Einar Karl Haraldsson, political advisor to Össur Skarphéöinsson, Iceland's new Minister of Industry. Mr. Haraldsson is, like his minister, a member of the Social Democratic Alliance.

By Odd Iglebaek