GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme under the auspices of UNESCO

04/09/2026

Want to learn how to drill for hot water? ♨💧
Check out our drilling course !

UNESCO GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

🌋 GEOTHERMAL DRILLING ENGINEERING & FORMATION EVALUATION – SHORT COURSE GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme (GRÓ GTP), Iceland, and Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) are pleased to announce a joint 8-day short course for the Asia-Pacific region, taking place on 20–27 October 2026 at ITB, Bandu...

06/08/2026

In the last week of July, it was time again for the 5 day the annual field trip around the geothermal areas of the western, northern, and central part of the country!

During this excursion the fellows get a chance to see and learn how the geothermal resource is used in different ways in Iceland. We started with a visit to Veitur at Deildartunga hot spring where the welcoming and knowledgeable Gissur Thór Ágústsson greeted us once again as he has done for so many decades ♨

Next stop was the unmissable Snorrastofa, Reykholti where Sigrún Guttormsdóttir Þormar inspired us with her extensive knowledge of the Icelandic history and sagas! The museum is a must-see for anyone passing through that region 📖

Then onward to the family owned Laugaland cucumber farm to learn how geothermal is used in agriculture for growing cucumbers in the arctic in the winter and summer since 1942 🥒

The north greeted us with -4°C wind and rain! As we battled through the wintry weather, we visited the fish farm at Samherji where Siggi Nonni gave us a valuable insight into the secret relationship between salmon and geothermal 🐟

Landsvirkjun took us on a tour around the geothermal power plants and fields of Theistareykir and Krafla. Krafla power plant was currently under maintenance giving us a rare insight inside the turbines. The lectures and guidance of the staff was essential to understand how Iceland became one of the leading geothermal countries in the world 🇮🇸

To experience the cold condition in the north during summer... the fellows started wondering how the northerners survive the winter... Norðurorka hf. told us about how they manage the local district heating system in a sustainable way to provide warmth to the homes throughout the year... making the north not only a lovely place to spend summers... but equally nice in the winter ❄️

Speaking of warmth! Even though the north greeted us with a cold snap... we were welcomed into the warm embrace of the innovative and wonderful Forest Lagoon... where all our chills and worries faded away in the soothing forestry atmosphere! But balneology is becoming one of the main attraction of geothermal tourism in Iceland and the Forest lagoon is an excellent example for our fellows to experience how local ingenuity turned an unexpected 'problem' from nearby tunnel drilling into an economic 'success' 🌲

After the rainiest July in history, the fellows were looking forward to see some sunny warm days in the north but despite the weather betraying us this time, the warm people of north certainly made up for it. A thousand thank you's to all our hosts for welcoming our fellows and share their time and knowledge with us which is not only an unforgettable experience but will surely lead to many innovative inspired geothermal projects back in their home countries... which is of course the purpose of it all... 🌍♨

05/08/2026

A new online course from our sister Programme!

Ending Violence through Human Rights Advocacy opens on edX on 10 August

21/07/2026

The field trip to Reykjanes peninsula to learn about the various ways geothermal is utilised was earlier this month.

We visited HS Orka where Lárus Thorvaldsson and Birna Lárusdóttir introduced their operations of the heating district system and the power plants. It was very educational and informative to see how the company uses geothermal in multiple ways. Lárus took us on a tour around the boreholes of the Reykjanes power plant as well as the IDDP 2 site. The company has been facing many challenges due to the recent eruptions events. We highly appreciate their time and efforts in receiving us and explaining the operation and activities at HS Orka!

One of the most fascinating endeavors of geothermal utilisation is done at the fish head drying company Haustak. There they take a waste product which used to be thrown away and turn it into a valuable commodity. In basic terms they take fish heads, dry them with geothermal heat, and sell them for fish soup and other traditional cuisine in Africa. This is always a memorable visit... for all the senses... 🤭

Of course no visit to the Reykjanes peninsula is complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon Iceland This is one of the best examples of how geothermal resources can be used to contribute to the society beyond the traditional electricity and district heating services. The lagoon is a major tourist attraction supporting the local economy through the thousands of visitors to the lagoon every month. In addition to that its waters has proven to have a healing effect on people suffering from certain skin conditions. Not to mention the relaxing and soothing effect of bathing in soft blue water has on each visitor ♨😊

Many thanks to all our host to make this field trip an education success for our fellows

UNESCO GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

29/06/2026

Our MSc Fellow in Geophysics, Álvaro Campos from El Salvador, presented his thesis on “Seismotectonic Characterization of the Ahuachapán Geothermal Field, El Salvador, Based on 1D Velocity Modeling, Earthquake Relocation, and Focal Mechanism Analysis” at Háskóli Íslands - University of Iceland on Friday 15th May.

His presentation was very well received, with excellent remarks. If you want to know more about this interesting research topic, his thesis will be available on the GTP website soon under Publication.

Congratulations to Álvaro and we look forward watching your career in the future!

More information at https://www.grocentre.is/gtp/media-gtp/news/msc-defence-by-alvaro-josue-campos-ramos

UNESCO GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

26/05/2026

Congratulations to our Study Board member and Head of our Project Management and Finance Specialisation!

Well deserved and we are happy to have bee contributed to this achievement through our cooperation 🌎

UNESCO GRÓ • Centre for Capacity Development, Sustainability and Societal Change

Helgi Þór Ingason prófessor hlýtur A-vottun IPMA á sviði þjálfunar og kennslu Helgi Þór Ingason, prófessor við Háskólann í Reykjavík og formaður stjórnar Advanced MPM-námsins í verkefnastjórnun við verkfræðideild skólans, hefur hlotið IPMA Level A – Certified Executive Tr...

18/05/2026

To all GTP affiliates attending the World Geothermal Congress 2026!

🌎 To celebrate that many of UNU/GRÓ GTP fellows and affiliates are attending the WGC2026 in Canada, we invite all former and current GTP fellows, supervisors, and teachers, former guest lecturers, and everyone ever affiliated with the Geothermal Training Programme to reunite with us! 🎉

DATE AND TIME
Tuesday 9th June, 18:00-20:00

Please reply to this small attendance survey prior to Monday 25th May to receive the location information:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GTPReunion2026

All former and current GTP Fellows and affiliates attending the WGC2026 are welcome and we look forward to seeing you all in Canada ! ♨️

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

23/04/2026

Kenya-Icelandic Cooperation in Geothermal Development – Short Talks organized by ÍSOR

ÍSOR (Iceland GeoSurvey) is hosting three short talks to celebrate the Kenya-Icelandic cooperation in geothermal development. Experts from the Geothermal Development Company in Kenya will present projects they are developing in Menengai, Suswa and Baringo. GTP will review the activities and importance of the GTP’s training support in Kenya.

The event is on the occasion of Hilary Mwawasi, Loice Kipchumba, Moses Chemeitoi and Isaac Simat, from GDC, are in Iceland as part of a project with ÍSOR, Vatnaskil Consulting Engineers and Verkís Consulting Engineers.

Anyone interested in the Kenya-Icelandic cooperation is welcome to attend.

Time: April 28th at 15:00
Location: GRÓ GTP offices at Urðarhvarf 8, 3rd floor

Zoom link available for those interested. Contact [email protected]

01/04/2026

We moved!
No it's not an april fools joke..
..as of today 1 april we moved from the 4th floor down to the 3rd floor.

Same address as before at Urdarhvarf 8B

Here are some photos of the staff transporting the GTP to the new new location.