There are strongly divided opinions on the bill to restart construction of the Hvammsvirkjun power plant, despite little resistance in parliament to the proposal.
More than thirty submissions have been received regarding the bill aimed at resuming construction of the Hvammsvirkjun power plant.
Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Climate, introduced the bill after the District Court ruled to invalidate the construction permit granted to Landsvirkjun for the project.
The case has been appealed directly to the Supreme Court, but the minister deemed it necessary to amend the law to allow work on the power plant to proceed.
The bill would allow the Environment and Energy Agency to approve power plant licences under expedited procedures in exceptional cases. It also clarifies wording permitting changes to water bodies due to construction projects, as the District Court’s ruling was based on the interpretation that such changes were prohibited under water directives.
The Environmental and Transport Committee has received 32 submissions on the bill, divided along established lines. Energy companies and business associations support the proposal, while environmental organisations oppose it.
Proponents argue that it is urgent to begin construction on Hvammsvirkjun as soon as possible to ensure energy security and advance Iceland’s energy transition. They point out that the project has been classified under the energy utilisation category of the Master Plan for Nature Protection and Energy Utilisation since 2015 and that parliament has made clear its intention to build the power plant, regardless of the District Court’s ruling.
Environmental groups argue that the bill is premature, as the Supreme Court has yet to rule on the case. They also question its legality, claiming it restricts public participation by shortening the consultation period on construction projects.
The bill is expected to pass through parliament with little difficulty, as no parliamentary group has formally opposed it.
The Left-Green Movement has submitted an official objection – but the party does not hold any seats in parliament.
Source: Ruv.is
