Icelandic hydroelectric power stations
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Over 80% of the energy in Iceland is generated in hydroelectric power stations. While geothermal energy is used for heating (and increasingly for electricity generation), the hydroelectric power stations, historically all run by Landsvirkjun, are central to the existence of Iceland as an industrialized country.
The largest power station by far is Kárahnjúkavirkjun (690 MW), which is being built in the area north of Vatnajökull to generate electricity for a new factory for the production of aluminum.
Large area's of Iceland's natural wilderness, the largest remaining in Europe, are currently being flooded to provide hydroelectric power for aluminum smelting plants owned by multinational corporations including Alcoa.
Other stations include:
- Blöndustöð generates 150 MW
- Búrfellsstöð generates 270 MW
- Hrauneyjafosstöð generates 210 MW
- Laxárstöðvar generate 28 MW
- Sigöldustöð generates 150 MW
- Sogsstöðvar generate 89 MW
- Sultartangastöð generates 120 MW
- Vatnsfellsstöð generates 90 MW