Carbon dioxide emission intensity

Carbon dioxide emission intensity is defined as the level of emissions, relative to each operating unit, e.g. unit of produced energy, income, and other indicators relevant to the operation.

ON Power produces electricity for consumers, as well as hot water, which is sold wholesale to Veitur Utilities. Carbon emissions per unit of electricity and hot water at ON Power Plants have decreased since 2015, and are now 8.3 g of CO₂ equivalents per kWh. Proportionate reinjection of carbon dioxide at the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant was approximately 25% in 2020, which was below expectations due to unforeseen technical malfunction in the hydrogen sulphide abatement unit at the plant, which had to be adjourned for a prolonged period of time. Operations at Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plants are carried out under a scheme that aims for a light carbon footprint in 2025 and 2030, respectively. This means that 95% of the carbon dioxide emitted from the power plants, will either be captured and stored, or utilised.

Veitur Utilities distribute electricity and hot water to consumers, process and distribute potable water, as well as managing the sewerage systems. Veitur Utilities' water utility, district heating, electricity utility, and sewerage systems have reduced their carbon emissions since 2015.

Reykjavik Fibre Network's data transmission has decreased its carbon emissions per unit.

The margin of error for emissions is 5%.

Reykjavik Energy Group's activities do not emit any ozone depleting substances.

*Carbon footprint of low-temperature geothermal fields has been rated as approximately 0 g/kWh.
**According to instructions by the Environment Agency of Iceland regarding emissions factors, the weighted average of GHG emissions per kWh of electricity, produced by hydropower and geothermal energy in Iceland in 2019, was 9.8 g. For hydroelectric power, GHG emissions per kWh of electricity amounted to 1.8 g and for geothermal energy 26.5 g.

Emission intensity of hydrogen sulphide

The hydrogen sulphide emission intensity from one unit of produced electricity per kWh at the Hellisheidi Power Plant has been reduced since 2015, or from 6 g per KWh to approximately 1 g, and at the Nesjavellir Power Plant from 4 g per kWh to approximately 3 g.

The concentration of hydrogen sulphide ( H₂S) in populated areas did not exceed limits in Lækjarbotnar and Úlfarsárdalur, but exceeded the limit once in Norðlingaholt and Hveragerði in 2020. The result of systematic cleaning and reinjection of hydrogen sulphide from the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant in 2020 was similar to 2019. Proportionate reinjection of hydrogen sulphide from the plant was just under 60%, which is a little less than previously planned, as the hydrogen sulphide abatement unit at the plant had to be adjourned for a prolonged period, due to unforeseen malfunctions.

Hydrogen sulphide emissions from Nesjavellir and Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plants amounted to 11.7 thousand tonnes in 2020. Operation activities at the power plants at Hellisheidi and Nesjavellir are in accordance with the objective of a light carbon footprint by 2025 and 2030, respectively. Thus, almost all hydrogen sulphide from the power plants will be captured and stored in basaltic rock.

The margin of error for emissions is approximately 5%.