Bunyan chairs fund

THE CO-OPERATIVE set up to negotiate a community benefit from the proposed Viking Energy wind farm has elected a new chairman following the resignation of Shetland’s Lord Lieutenant Bobby Hunter.

Hunter resigned two weeks ago from the Shetland Community Benefit Fund after his election as chairman of Shetland Charitable Trust, which owns a 45 per cent stake in the wind farm development.

The new incumbent is former journalist and environmental campaigner Chris Bunyan, who has recently been in the public eye as spokesman for the Windfarm Supporters Group.

The cooperative has 18 board members each nominated by the islands’ 18 community councils, with Bunyan having been picked by Sandness and Walls community council.

The new chairman stressed that the board consists of people who oppose and support the development, along with others who have no strong views either way.

He said members’ opinions about the wind farm were irrelevant to the cooperative’s objective, which is to negotiate the best deal it can with Viking Energy, which they believe will be worth more than £2 million a year for the 25 year life of the wind farm.

“I saw the potential of community benefits from renewable energy over six years ago and am honoured to have been elected chairman,” he said.

“We are very close to an agreement with Viking Energy on all but one or two crucial issues.

“There have been very productive talks so far and hopefully these can come to a conclusion within a few months.”

He paid tribute to the work carried out by Hunter, saying he had helped establish a strong organisation

“If the Viking Energy wind farm goes ahead the community benefit fund will be of tremendous importance in helping to support and develop local communities,” he added.

“Because it is not a charity, the cooperative will be free of all the rules and regulations that tightly control how they can and cannot spend their money.”