Verkís has contributed to the development of most of Iceland’s major hydropower plants and have delivered hydropower projects in countries including Greenland, Norway and Georgia. Our multidisciplinary expertise covers the entire project lifecycle – from early-stage studies and feasibility assessments to design, construction, commissioning, operation and renewal.
About usVerkís provides comprehensive engineering and consulting services for hydropower projects of all sizes, from early-stage development and feasibility studies to design, construction support, commissioning and operation.
Our expertise covers all major disciplines and structures associated with hydropower plants, including dams, waterways, tunnels, underground structures, power stations, mechanical and electrical equipment, control systems and related infrastructure.
Our expertise also covers environmental processes such as sediment transport and the effects of river ice, as well as assessing how hydropower plants affect the natural balance of rivers and identifying measures to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
Decades of experience in hydropower have given our specialists extensive knowledge of water resources, hydraulic structures and complex infrastructure. We combine this experience with multidisciplinary engineering to develop safe, efficient and sustainable solutions.
Our hydropower specialists are available to discuss new projects, existing facilities, feasibility studies, upgrades and other hydropower-related needs.
Stefán Bjarnason
Civil Engineer M.Sc. / Marketing manager
Division: Energy
sb@verkis.is
Hörn Hrafnsdóttir
Water Resources Engineer M.Sc.
Division: Energy
hhr@verkis.is
Verkís has supported clients across the development and operation of hydropower facilities, combining engineering expertise, local knowledge and multidisciplinary project experience.
More projectsVerkís’ expertise in dams, hydraulic structures, modelling and complex infrastructure has also been applied to one of Iceland’s most challenging recent engineering projects: the design and construction of lava barriers on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Shortly before the first eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula experts from Verkís were tasked with, in cooperation with experts from Efla, the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Meteorological Office, determining whether infrastructure in the vicinity of potential eruption sites could be protected. Verkís’ role in this work was project management, lava-flow modelling, lava barrier design and other related tasks. By the time of the first eruption a preliminary design of protection barriers was ready, including cross sectional design and layout.
During the volcanic eruption in Geldingadalir in 2021, the group constructed lava diversion barriers and lava dams to test how these could be used to divert and delay lava flows in order to protect critical infrastructure. Five experimental barriers were constructed, generating valuable field observations.
When volcanic activity shifted towards the Svartsengi system in 2023, placing both the town of Grindavík and the Svartsengi geothermal power plant at risk, the preliminary designs developed in 2021 were reassessed, finalized and implemented under tight time constraints.
Approximately 13 km of barriers have now been constructed around Grindavík and the geothermal power plant in Svartsengi. The barriers have an average height of 9.5 m, reaching over 24 m in some locations, with a total construction volume of approximately 2.5 million m³. Despite a total of nine eruptions in the Svartsengi volcanic system, the barriers successfully protected the most critical infrastructure, diverting lava flows during five of these events.
The lava barrier projects required engineering decisions to be made under rapidly changing and unprecedented conditions.
Verkís’ specialists combined geological and topographical information, field observations, lava flow modelling and engineering analysis to assess potential lava-flow paths and design protective measures for vulnerable infrastructure and communities.
The work demonstrates how decades of experience in the design of dams, hydraulic structures and complex infrastructure can be applied to new challenges.
It also highlights Verkís’ ability to combine engineering expertise, scientific knowledge and practical solutions when responding to natural hazards and protecting critical infrastructure.
Verkís provides comprehensive engineering and consulting services throughout the lifecycle of hydropower projects. Our multidisciplinary teams bring together the expertise needed to plan, design, deliver and optimise complex hydropower facilities.
We assess opportunities and develop the technical foundation for hydropower projects through site evaluations, resource assessments, feasibility studies, hydrological analysis and technical and economic studies.
We manage complex hydropower projects from planning and procurement through construction and commissioning, coordinating disciplines, stakeholders and contractors to support successful project delivery.
We coordinate multidisciplinary design across civil, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering to create integrated solutions that are efficient, reliable and practical to construct and operate.
Our expertise covers dams, intakes, spillways, waterways, pressure systems, tunnels, underground structures, powerhouses, access infrastructure and other civil works associated with hydropower facilities.
We provide engineering and consulting services for turbines, generators, mechanical equipment, electrical systems, substations, control systems, protection systems and other electromechanical infrastructure.
We support hydropower development with environmental assessments, permitting, environmental planning and solutions that consider natural conditions, biodiversity and the surrounding community.
Our services extend into procurement, construction support, supervision, testing and commissioning, helping ensure that designs are implemented safely, efficiently and according to project requirements.
We support owners of existing hydropower facilities with condition assessments, rehabilitation, upgrades and optimisation measures that improve efficiency, reliability, safety and operational life.
As energy systems evolve, hydropower continues to play an important role in providing reliable renewable electricity and supporting energy security.
Verkís combines long-standing hydropower knowledge with new technology, digital solutions and multidisciplinary engineering to help clients make better use of existing resources and develop new energy infrastructure.
Whether developing a new hydropower plant, extending an existing facility or improving the performance of an operating plant, Verkís provides the expertise needed to deliver reliable and sustainable solutions.
Service Categories
Icelandic
