Scotland gives go-ahead to Shetland wind farms
Holyrood has green lit a major new renewable energy project which will see up to 18 turbines constructed on the islands.
The work has roots that can be traced back to 2012, when a consortium of almost 50 businesses, the majority of which are based on Shetland, began taking steps to ensure the islands’ potential as an energy hub could be realised.
In 2019, Statkraft, the largest generator of renewable energy in Europe, was approved as development partner, and now full planning permission has been granted to break ground on the Energy Isles Wind Farm. Once completed, this will provide around 126MW of power – enough for some 157,000 homes.
It is hoped up to £17.3million could be generated for the local area, too, allowing more almost £19million to be committed to a new community benefit fund over the project’s lifetime. Construction will begin in 2025. Once complete, Statkraft’s wind portfolio will comprise three sites, Energy Isles, Mossy Hill, and Beaw Field, offering a combined output of 246MW.
The strong support of local folk, including the businesses involved in Energy Isles Limited and supporters in the communities in the North Isles, has been fundamental to this outcome,’ said Derek Jaimieson, of Energy Isles UK.’We’re very glad that the Scottish Government has recognised how important this project is to sustainability of peerie island communities like ours looking to build towards a greener future,’
‘This would not have happened without the vision of Shetlanders who started this ambitious scheme back in 2012 and who have supported it all the way through,’ added Rebecca Todd, Statkraft’s Principal Project Manager for Energy Isles. ‘We’d like to thank the people of Shetland and the Energy Isles Consortium for their drive and determination to decarbonise the North Isles and the hard work and backing for the project that they have provided.’
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