Becromal’s capacitor factory at Krossanes in Akureyri in north Iceland, which is described as the country’s first green heavy industry, launched operations on Friday. The factory currently employs 40 people but 50 other jobs will be created shortly.
A view of Akureyri. Photo by Geir Ólafsson.
According to Morgunbladid, the total number of jobs that the factory and related operations may create for the local community once fully operational could amount to nearly 300.
Eythór Arnalds, managing director of Strokkur Energy, the factory’s development company in Iceland, described it as a turning point in the history of heavy industry in Iceland, not only because it’s the country’s first green heavy industry but also because for the first time the development of heavy industry is not solely in the hands of foreign parties.
Capacitors are made from aluminum and are used for various electrical equipment, among other purposes for maintaining the voltage level. They are also used for windmills and solar cells.
“Akureyri was chosen for the operation because favorable agreements were reached on energy purchases with Landsvirkjun [the national power company] where excess energy in north Iceland is used,” Arnalds explained. “The factory requires 75Mw of energy per year during the first phase.”
Arnalds said the estimated cost for the first phase is ISK 10 billion (USD 78 million, EUR 54 million).
