Emissions removal facility opened at Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, Iceland
Stakeholders and representatives of the EU Innovation Fund outside Steingerður. (source: ON Power)
Carlo Cariaga
23 Jun 2025
The Steingerði air purification plant has been officially opened, reducing CO2 and H2S emissions from the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant in Iceland.
The Hellisheidi geothermal power plant of ON Power in Iceland is now operating at a nearly carbon-neutral manner with the inauguration of the Steingerði air purification plant, which captures almost all carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide emissions. The design and construction of Steingerður is part of the Silfurberg project, an innovation project funded by the European Union’s Innovation Fund.
The Silfurberg project, led by Carbfix and Orka náttúrunnar (a subsidiary of Orkuveitarn), aims to demonstrate the capture and permanent storage of carbon dioxide in rock on a larger scale than previously possible. The project is receiving €3.87 million from the EU Innovation Fund, which will enable Carbfix to scale up its technology. With Steingerður, it will be able to capture around 30,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, which will then be safely and permanently converted into rock using the Carbfix technology.
The air purification plant was officially inaugurated in the presence of Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate. The Minister said on the occasion that the Silfurberg project is a great example of what can be achieved when science, industry and government work together.
“This is a big day for climate technology in Iceland. Carbon capture and sequestration is among the urgent actions that need to be taken to combat climate change. This has been repeatedly recognized by the international scientific community, including the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Important steps have been taken by Icelandic entrepreneurs in this regard and it is imperative that the activities rest on clear rules for the future,” said Jóhann Páll.
One of the first in the world
The Silfurberg project alone is expected to deliver 10% of Iceland’s 2030 climate commitments within the energy and industrial sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System. The project fits well with Iceland’s target of a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and highlights the growing role of geothermal energy in the global energy mix.
“ON’s goal has always been to produce hot water and electricity responsibly. Steingerður is a major milestone on that journey and we are proud that Hellisheidi Power Plant will become one of the first geothermal power plants in the world to become nearly carbon neutral,” said Árni Hrannar Haraldsson, Managing Director of Orka náttúrunn.
“Silfurberg marks an important step in the increased use of Carbfix’s proven technology in connection with domestic energy production, while laying the foundation for more projects based on a common European regulatory framework. The opening of Silfurberg follows the opening of other projects in the field of carbon management in our neighboring countries in recent days and is a testament to the progressiveness of Icelandic and European industry towards real success on a broad basis,” added Edda Sif Pind Aradóttir, CEO of Carbfix.
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Source: ON Power
