News / Viking applies for more test masts
SHETLAND wind farm developer Viking Energy has applied to the local authority to erect two further wind data masts.
Both are revised applications which were withdrawn earlier this year after statutory consultees raised concern regarding nesting birds in the vicinity.
Viking Energy would like to erect the masts at Scar Quilse, at North Nesting, and at Flamister, in the parish of South Nesting.
Viking Energy plans to build a massive windfarm in the north central mainland of Shetland. With a proposed capacity of 540MW it will be one of the largest onshore developments in Europe.
In May this year, the developer was challenged by anti-Viking campaigners who claimed that the company was breaching planning conditions and disturbing red-throated divers while erecting three wind masts at Mid Kames, Scalla Field, and at Runn Hill.
On Thursday, Viking Energy said that following further consultation more appropriate locations for the two proposed masts in Nesting had been found.
Project manager David Thomson said: “We take our responsibilities to the environment very seriously and we’re happy to look at alternative locations for these two masts in order to avoid any problems.
“The new locations have been rigorously assessed by our independent experts.”
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