Blanda

Project details

Project name: Project Blanda

Project location: north-western Iceland

Installed capacity: 150 MW

Project owner: Landsvirkjun

Commission date: 1991

Assessment details

Assessment tool: Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP)

Assessment stage: Operation

Assessment date: August - October 2013, with an on-site assessment on 9-13 September 2013

Assessment overview

Blanda has low adverse environmental and social impacts, and the most significant one (loss of vegetation and sheep grazing lands under the large reservoir) has been compensated by a large revegetation programme. Relationships with local stakeholders are excellent. The project provides important social and economic benefits to the sparsely populated local area and to Iceland overall. It has also improved environmental conditions for fish in the lower Blanda River, resulting in much expanded salmon angling opportunities.

Power generation in Iceland largely goes to power intensive industries such as aluminium smelters. Landsvirkjun is a strategic company for the Icelandic economy and for its owner, the Icelandic government.

These issues are reflected in the findings of the assessment, and in a range of high scores that summarise the findings (see diagram below).

Sustainability Profile