"Difficult to deal with one, two, three"
Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, the Minister of Infrastructure, says it will be difficult to respond if things go south by the powerplant at Svartsengi. mbl.is/composite image
According to Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Infrastructure, it is difficult to respond to a situation where infrastructure is deterred by volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula. As Morgunbladid reported, there is no alternate heat source for the South Iceland peninsula, like is the case with powerplants in the country.
Therefore, the landrising at the power plant in Svartsengi is alarming and risks depleted electricity and hot water in the event of a disaster.
“Of course, the situation has been analysed by a group of infrastructure managers under the Prime Minister. “Of course, the situation is such that in worst case scenarios, near Svartsengi powerplant, then it will be very difficult to respond to that,” the minister says.
He adds that the task ahead is to work with state institutions and companies to draw up a response plan to put in place as far as that is possible.
“It’s cold water, hot water and electricity that are difficult to deal with one, two, three,” Jóhannsson says.
The powerplant at Svartsengi supplies power to the Reykjanes peninsula. mbl.is/Hákon
We live in Iceland
According to Jóhannsson, the work is to further reflect on what is needed to respond to the situation that may arise.
“We live in Iceland and we can’t control the natural forces. We can try to react as much as possible, but it is impossible for us to have all the possible response devices and gadgets for all the possible events that can occur in Iceland,” he says.
According to Sigurður, heat-supply issues need to be evalued in more places than on Reykjanes peninsula. A report prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Climate Change has shown that in too many places around the country heat-supply needs to be ramped up.
