Extreme Engineering (2003)

S2E5 Iceland Tunnels

Approximately 200 miles northeast of Reykjavik, engineers are diligently drilling 72 kilometers of tunnels deep within the mountains. Three specialized full-face boring machines have been transported from the United States to this remote location, situated 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. These tunnels aim to channel water from reservoirs, which are also being built, down to the valley floor. The flowing water will power six turbines, each generating 115 megawatts. With a combined capacity of 690 megawatts, this project will become the largest hydropower facility in Europe.