Plans to Build Six Wind Turbines on Grímsey Island

Fallorka, a subsidiary of the utility company Norðurorka Ltd., intends to build six 6kW wind turbines on Grímsey island, located 40 km (25 mi) off the north coast of Iceland, Morgunblaðið reports. Each support tower will be 9 m (30 ft) tall and the rotor blades 5.6 m (18 ft) in diameter. The wind turbines’ total height will be 12 m (39 ft). Distance between the support towers will be about 40 m (130 ft).

Last spring, the Municipality of Akureyri issued a permit for the building of two wind turbines, which were to be an experimental project.

Their foundations are ready, and the two are expected to be built and connected this summer.

Grímsey island is not connected to Iceland’s power grid, and so far, all energy produced on the island has been produced using a diesel-powered generator, which has had a negative impact on the environment and the climate, according to a report on changes to land use.

By constructing the wind turbines, the goal is to produce electricity in an environmentally friendly way. The six wind turbines are expected to be able to produce about 30 percent of electricity needed on the island.

They will be located near the center of the island on its eastern side, in an area the size of one hectare (2.5 acres). A location on the island with relatively limited birdlife was chosen. The project’s impact on birdlife is believed to be limited, but is also in some ways unknown.