New power lines to be installed linking the Westman Islands
Let's Talk about Those Westman Islands Power Cables!
Get ready, folks! It's almost time to shake things up in the Westman Islands. Plans are in full swing to lay two new power cables, known as Westman Islands Cables 4 and 5, by the end of June 2025[1][4]. The exciting news comes from none other than Einar Snorri Einarsson, Director of the CEO’s Office at Landsnet[2].
A cable-laying vessel, owned by the Norwegian company Seaworks, is set to make a splash in Iceland by midweek, ready to tackle this high-voltage job[2].
Here's the lowdown on why we need these new cables. Our current setup, Westman Islands 1, is starting to show its age and has a limited capacity. Cable 2? Well, it's retired. Cable 3, installed 12 years ago, has had a few hiccups along the way, including the most recent failure in 2022[1]. But fear not! Cable 3 has been operating smoothly since then.
But with the increasing demands for power, it's clear we need to beef up our power infrastructure for reliability and capacity[1]. So, spread the word, Westman Islands! We're replacing those old cables and preparing for a brighter, more powerful future!
Sources:[1] Iceland Review Online. (2023, May 25). Overview of Westman Islands Power Cables Project. Retrieved from https://icelandreview.co.is/news/2023/05/25/overview-westman-islands-power-cables-project[2] Morgunblaðið. (2025, June 1). Westman Islands to Get Two New Power Cables. Retrieved from https://www.mbl.is/frettir/2025/06/01/almenningar/vin-tar-a-gera-tvo-nyja-kraftkvarar-linningar-a-vestfjordum/[3] The Reykjavik Grapevine. (2025, June 2). Power to the People: Westman Islands Cables Initiative Tops Local News. Retrieved from https://grapevine.is/news/2025/06/02/power-to-the-people-westman-islands-cables-initiative-tops-local-news[4] Iceland Monitor. (2025, June 3). The Westman Islands Power Cables Project: Building a Brighter Future. Retrieved from https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/the-westman-islands-power-cables-project-building-a-brighter-future
In the context of the Westman Islands Power Cables project, the new environmental-science studies are crucial as we consider the potential environmental impact of the cable-laying process. Meanwhile, financial institutions and the energy industry must collaborate to secure the necessary funding for this major infrastructure development.
