Friday, January 12, 2018

Iceland: Two Turbines at Hellisheiði Power Plant Down Because of Fire

Fire in Iceland's largest geothermal power plant, Hellisheiðarvirkjun (Icelandmag)

 (CourtesyJóhann K Jóhansson)
Two of the seven turbines which produce electricity at the Hellisheiði Power Plant are out of service after a fire broke out in the power plant. Hellisheiði power plant is the largest geothermal power plant in Iceland, and the third largest world-wide. 

Fire engines from all nearby towns were sent to the power plant at noon after a fire broke out in the main station house. Two of the seven turbines at the station short circuited when the fire broke out, as well as one pump which supplies the Capital Region with 10% of its hot water. The extent of the damage is not yet clear, nor when the station can return back to full capacity.

Nobody was in danger and the station was evacuated immediately when the fire was detected.