Iceland advances plans for biogas facility in Eyjafjörður with 3 billion krónur investment

Icelandic authorities are advancing plans for a new biogas facility in Eyjafjörður, with an investment of 3 billion Icelandic krónur earmarked for a hazardous waste treatment center set to open in two years. This initiative is part of Iceland’s response to a ruling by the EFTA Court emphasizing the need for effective waste management.

Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, announced the launch of a website for Líforkuvers ehf., the company overseeing the project. She expressed urgency, stating that Iceland can no longer afford to bury organic waste, particularly animal remains classified as high-risk.

The biogas plant will process animal waste that has mostly been disposed of illegally. The government aims to meet the legal obligations set by the court and expects to commence construction next year, with hopes of operational status by 2028. The estimated cost for building the facility and a nationwide collection system is approximately 2.9 billion Icelandic krónur.

At a recent presentation in Akureyri, Kristín Helga Schiöth, the CEO of Líforkuvers ehf., confirmed that work is progressing on the initial site development and the establishment of the collection infrastructure. The facility, to be located on Dysnes, will be part of efforts to enhance Iceland’s food production safety through proper waste management and international certification of its food products.

Minister Gunnarsdóttir emphasized the significance of this project, both for environmental compliance and for safeguarding the future of Icelandic food production.