Land reclamation
Alongside the utilisation of resources, Reykjavík Energy and its predecessors have worked on land reclamation. We place great emphasis on proper finishing, and Orka náttúrunnar works systematically on land reclamation in the company's power plant areas, with the aim of restoring natural vegetation and the environment after disturbances. In the summer, a large group of people works on land reclamation and beautifying the environment around the company's power plants. Projects include planting willow cuttings, collecting and distributing hayseed, and restoring moss carpets.
Afforestation by Reykjavík Energy has also long been extensive, with Elliðaárdalur valley and Öskjuhlíð hill being prominent examples, and every year we plant around 8,000 trees.
Forestry trip in Elliðaárdalur, 1951
In the popular outdoor areas owned by Orkuveitan, in Heiðmörk and the Hengill area, continuous work is being done to maintain hiking trails and improve signage for visitors. Increasingly, existing vegetation is set aside during construction and used to restore previous vegetation cover.
Nature-based solutions
Other resource utilization requires intervention when seeking to improve it with nature-based solutions, and Orka náttúrunnar (ON Power) is a pioneer in their application in Iceland. Here are two examples of water being directed along more desirable paths without causing erosion on vegetated land. Á Orka náttúrunnar website Read more about land reclamation.