Ness Engineering provide eco-friendly welfare units for wind farm

SHETLAND FIRM Ness Engineering has received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to buy green welfare units.

The company has purchased four units with up to £86k being invested from HIE.

Welfare units contain toilets, canteens and break areas, and are usually powered by diesel generators.

As part of efforts to decarbonise, Ness Engineering’s new units will produce zero emissions.

They are made of stainless steel, and feature solar panels and lithium-Ion batteries.

The cabins are being trialled at the Viking Energy wind farm site to see if they are viable for year-round use.

Alistair Leslie, Ness Engineering’s managing director, said: “Many people in the industry are as keen as we are to see real change and a move towards a sustainable net zero, carbon neutral future.

“Understandably there is some scepticism about the effectiveness of solar power in Shetland, especially during the winter.

“However, the new generation of low light solar panels along with lithium Ion battery storage, highlight the clear potential of this technology as a viable year round alternative.

“Initial data from the units’ power and water use since installation on-site in April looks very promising and the CO2 savings for the year should be significant.

“We’re confident these units will become the new expected standard of welfare provision.”