Charging Stations in Iceland

Transformer and concrete

The delivery also included a concrete ring foundation from Møre Trafo. In Iceland it is standard to use concrete in the foundations to ensure good weight at the base due to strong winds, and to achieve a practical working height for cable work.

Extensive Charging Network

Iceland has made significant progress in building charging stations for electric vehicles in recent years. Overall, the country has established an extensive network that supports the growing use of EVs, with contributions from several players such as Iskraft, Tesla and local energy companies.

Electric Vehicles and Iceland

In 2023, electric vehicles made up 50.1 percent of all cars sold in Iceland, putting the country in second place globally after Norway. After several years of growth, EV sales dropped in 2024, and the share fell to 26 percent according to TV2.

All installed

— All five complete substations with transformers that we have delivered this year are installed, and almost all are in operation. One of the stations is so large that it exceeds the 15-square-meter limit, which triggers requirements for documentation of snow load, wind load, and seismic strength. We are now assisting with this documentation, says Lade.

Large Substations

The substations Møre Trafo has delivered are relatively large MAXI substations with transformers of 1600 kVA or 2000 kVA. The substations have 11 kV switchgear for the grid owner in a separate room, plus matching switchgear with metering section for energy settlement in the high-voltage room for the operator running the charging station. The substation also has its own low-voltage room for a 480 V main distribution board.

Awaiting clarification

Further infrastructure for EV charging is planned, but it is currently on hold pending building-related clarifications.

— Møre Trafo has for many years supplied both transformers and substations to Icelandic utilities and partners such as Iskraft. Tesla is one of several players we work with in this market, says Sales and Marketing Manager Ivar Lifjeld.

Interested in hearing more about this?

Get in touch with Bjørn Lade – +47 920 98 208, responsible for project Sales – Export.