‘36,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year’: Iceland is feeding a monster that could change the future of Earth

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Magma Energy

Beneath Iceland’s fiery crust, magma’s latent power is being harnessed for monumental energy gains.

Hellisheidi Giant

The Hellisheidi power plant, with a capacity of 303MW, is one of the largest geothermal plants globally, turning volcanic steam into electricity and heat since 2011.

Carbon Capture

Orca, the world’s largest carbon capture plant, uses Hellisheidi’s geothermal power to pull 36,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, storing it as solid rock underground.

Circular Economy

Iceland’s Resource Park integrates geothermal byproducts like CO₂, hot water, and electricity into industries, creating sustainable aquaculture, cosmetics, and fuel businesses.

Tourist Marvel

The iconic Blue Lagoon spa thrives on geothermal seawater, blending sustainability with tourism, attracting millions to its steamy blue waters.

Global Outreach

Iceland exports geothermal expertise, helping countries like Kenya and Indonesia establish sustainable energy parks and eco-industrial systems.

Carbon Storage

Carbfix, an Icelandic firm, collaborates globally to integrate carbon capture in geothermal projects, ensuring CO₂ is permanently stored underground.

Scaling Solutions

Iceland’s model, now adopted worldwide, proves that renewable energy and circular economies can coexist and thrive, even in developing regions.

Sustainable Leader

Iceland stands as a beacon of sustainability, demonstrating how a small nation can transform volcanic energy into global ecological progress.