Energy / SIC keen to hear about interest in developing land around Sullom Voe
SHETLAND Islands Council is inviting expressions of interest in developing land around the port of Sullom Voe, with a particular focus on energy transition.
The local authority said it has already been approached by several organisations interested to lease and develop land around the port of Sullom Voe.
The land involved sites at the back of the former Scatsta Airport, and at Sella Ness.
Meanwhile the operator of the Dales Voe facility in Lerwick is looking for expressions of interest in its decommissioning and infrastructure site.
Peterson said it has “long-term availability for a strategic alliance” at Dales Voe in light of a “number of large-scale decommissioning, renewables and large-scale infrastructure projects planned for Shetland in the next 10-15 years”.
It comes after a study by Offshore Energies UK this week described Shetland and the north east of Scotland to be in a prime position to reap the benefits of the energy transition.
In terms of the Sullom Voe area, the council said the port, Scatsta, Sella Ness and the surrounding areas offer “unique opportunities for a range of new development”.
As part of the energy transition Sullom Voe Terminal operator EnQuest is looking at repurposing parts of the site to support the move to net zero.
The developer behind plans for huge offshore wind farms has also proposed installing a hydrogen plant at Sullom Voe.
The ORION clean energy project meanwhile previously said the Sullom Voe region “could be the centre where offshore wind energy is used to produce green hydrogen and hydrogen derivative fuels for local use and export”.
The council said interested parties have until the end of September to express their interest in developing land in the area.
“The land with a council interest varies from industrial to brown/green field undeveloped areas,” it added.
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“Large parts under consideration may have significant natural heritage, some of which is raised blanket bog. The entire harbour is also a designated area.”
Companies must describe their business objectives in Shetland and detail what their development plans are.
If related to energy, applicants are encouraged to provide information on routes to market and any linkages to other developments in the sector, both in the Sullom Voe area and offshore.
In relation to Dales Voe, on the outskirts of Lerwick, Peterson said it is open to “innovative commercial models” and is keen to understand opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
The logistics company said Dales Voe is “ideally placed” as a support location for renewable developments in the North Sea and West of Shetland, such as offshore wind, including as a place for assembly.
The current site capacity is up to 20,000 square metres and there is potential for it to be extended to 45,000 square metres if required.
In 2020 the facility had its first load-in of a major Northern North Sea structure for dismantling – the Ninian Northern topsides.
Earlier this year that platform’s 8,500 tonne jacket was brought into Dales Voe for decommissioning.
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