Marine energy specialist Wills joins local energy consultancy

3 May 2023 16:15

A man with short brown hair and a beard smiles while wearing a patterned sweater. He stands in front of a wall with large black letters spelling "VOAR.

Voar’s new development director Tom Wills. Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland News

SHETLAND based energy consultancy and project development company Voar has added local man Tom Wills to its executive team.

Wills has been working with tidal energy company Nova Innovation and its Bluemull Sound project for many years and has lately been the company’s head of site delivery.

The engineer joins Voar as developments director, focused on business growth and the company’s project development plans.

Managing director Daniel Gear said: “Shetland has all the right ingredients to produce valuable commodities such as hydrogen and ammonia that will, over time, replace oil and gas.

“Voar is on a mission to ensure that this sector is developed by and for Shetland, rather than being something that happens to us.

“To achieve that, we’re building a team of highly experienced Shetlanders, which I’m absolutely thrilled to say now includes Tom Wills as development director.

“Tom brings over 15 years’ experience in the development of offshore renewables, and his expertise will help to drive forward our own clean energy ambitions for Shetland, as well as the continued growth of our consultancy business.”

Speaking from the company’s office in Lerwick, Wills added: “Voar has already done a power of work on the potential for producing hydrogen and ammonia locally, and on the infrastructure and support services that offshore wind developments will need.

“These sectors are set to grow rapidly and in Shetland we have the opportunity to learn from our past and maximise the benefits to this community from future energy projects.

“I’m pleased to be working with such an experienced and lightsome team of local folk who are committed to that goal.”

Over the last two years Voar has brought together a team of eight local specialists working towards securing as much of the emerging net zero industry for Shetland as possible.