Ávarp Katrínar Jakobsdóttur forsætisráðherra við opnun World Geothermal Congress 25. október 2021
President, distinguished guests,
It is my pleasure to be here with you today at The World Geothermal Congress in Reykjavík, Iceland. It is so good to see you all here, now that it is once again possible to meet in person. So, a very special welcome to Iceland, I do hope you have an enjoyable time.
We are here to discuss global energy and the climate. The climate crisis poses a huge challenge to our world, as those of you in this room and those joining us virtually, know more about than most people. Climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying. To reverse this emerging catastrophe we must act immediately and robustly. In terms of energy, Iceland’s own climate goals are to reach carbon neutrality before 2040 and full elimination of fossil fuels by 2050.
We have a common goal with the EU and Norway on reduction of emissions – however I think we can do better; Iceland must have an independent and ambitious goal on reduction of emissions – and we can also speed up when it comes to full elimination of fossil fuels. It is my conviction that a new government in Iceland has to make the climate its first priority – we see the effects of climate change all around us and we can influence other bigger nations if we lead by example.
Dear guests
The history of geothermal energy in Iceland goes back to the medieval sagas which are a testament to Iceland’s strong tradition of describing and documenting events, including various natural phenomena. In particular these are mentioned in the Icelandic annals that cover most of the history of Iceland. They contain information on volcanic eruptions and other events that affected people’s lives throughout the centuries.
One of the earliest examples is from around 874 when Ingólfur Arnarson, the first Icelandic settler, sailed into the inlet of Reykjavík. It is thought that he named the place Reykjavík, literally smokey bay, because he saw steam coming up from pools of hot water in Laugarnes, a neighborhood just up the road from Harpa.
Víga-Glúms saga, taking place in the 10th century, tells of people using the hot pool Hrafnagilslaug in Eyjafjörður for bathing. And in the year 1000, when Iceland officially converted to Christianity, members of Alþingi, the Parliament, were christened in the hot pools Vígðulaug in Laugarvatn and Reykjalaug in Lundarreykjadal.
Hrafnagilslaug also played a part in the events of January 26th 1254 when Gissur Þorvaldsson, later earl of Iceland, did not catch one of his enemies because he survived by hiding amongst a group of women who were bathing in this same Hrafnagilslaug in Eyjafjörður.
In the year 1665 we have a record of one Árni Oddsson dying while bathing in the hot pool Leirárlaug, as indeed did bishop Ketill Þorsteinsson in 1145. This was noted in the Travel Book of Eggert and Bjarni, first published in Danish in 1772 (Rejse igennem Island), warning that although bathing in these hot pools was thought to be very wholesome it could also cause dizziness and headaches.
The first record of geothermal water temperatures being measured is from the hot pools in Laugardalur in 1772, where the hottest temparture recorded was 89,4 celcius. At this time Eggert Ólafsson, the author of the Travel Book of Eggert and Bjarni, said, and I quote: “What an improvement it would be for the country and even the whole kingdom, if well-equipped public baths were put in place, which people could use when they wished.” This has certainly been done since then.
The first actual geothermal drilling in Iceland happened in August in 1755 and they dug 13 ¾ feet or 4,5 meters. And in 1773 to 1793 salt was processed in Ísafjarðardjúp by using water from hot springs to boil seawater. This was a state-run project, and quite unique at the time.
In Iceland the forces of nature are ever present. The land is constantly pulled apart as the two tectonic plates move in opposite directions. The two sides to this activity are the volcanic eruptions and the geothermal activity. One of the profound changes brought about by advances in science and technology in the 20th century is the harnessing of the geothermal energy. The volcanic activity cannot be controlled and continues to be something that Icelanders have had to learn to co-exist with.
During the 13th century the chieftain and historian Snorri Sturluson wrote some profoundly important texts concerning the history of Norway and the pre-Christian religions of the North. After a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in 1226 a large number of cattle died from the effects of the eruption in west Iceland. Cattle skin was the paper of the 13th century. Perhaps Snorri Sturluson made use of all the skin from the dead cattle for his writing? We do not know, but Snorri had a hot pool at his farm, used it frequently, and we all know that hot pools help us relax, clear our heads and possibly make us better writers! Hot water was channeled to this pool from a hot spring and then cooled down with a cold stream. Legend has it that the pool – which is actually quite small - could fit up to 50 people!
On the topic of volcanos, the eruption that has been ongoing on Reykjanes Peninsula for most of this year, but has been quiet for the past month or so, is relatively small and has not caused much harm. It has been a hugely popular spot to visit, both for locals and tourists. This is however the first volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since the days of Snorri Sturluson – which puts time and history in a new perspective.
But not all eruptions in Iceland are so tame as the latest on in Reykjanes. The greatest volcanic disaster in our history was the eruption of Laki in 1783. It may have killed around 20% of Iceland’s population at the time. The toxic haze from the eruption did the most harm, not only did it cover Iceland, but reached most of Europe and had a significant effect there as well, some say it indirectly caused the French revolution. Geothermal activity was not a prominent part of these events. But as we know, the volcanic activity provides the geothermal areas with the necessary energy.
To this day, hot pools play a hugely important role in our society. If you want to know what’s going on, who is not speaking to whom or who is getting a divorce or where to get the best potatoes or who is going to, let’s say, do well in an upcoming election, you go soak in one of the many public hot tubs with the locals. These hot tubs can be found in all the public swimming pools in Reykjavík and in any town or village around the country. Gathering in one of these hot tubs is something of a national past-time of the Icelanders. It is deeply engrained in our culture and communities to gather and spend time with one another in these places of warmth.
Dear guests.
Today, Iceland has not reached its final destination in geothermal utilization development. Our scientists, researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs continue to develop new ideas, technologies, and utilization methods.
We are witnessing some exciting developments in how to use our geothermal resource even more efficiently. For instance, through innovation in green industrial parks where the focus is on the circular economy and maximizing the geothermal resource so it may be used to its fullest potential.
We also have some exciting new developments and technology breakthroughs in both carbon mineralization and associated product development.
With all these current and prospective energy developments and breakthroughs we may possibly look to a future brighter than the climate disaster now in the cards. But we must work together in implementing these, and, when it comes to climate change, we must work fast.
I encourage you all to visit one of our many swimming pools while staying here in Iceland and I wish you a very productive convention in these few days.