Larger second turbine proposed for outskirts of Lerwick

FRESH plans have been submitted for a new wind turbine on the outskirts of Lerwick.

The turbine at North Hoo Fields would have a maximum tip height of 100m.

It would be located near to the existing turbine in the area, which is to the left of the three-lane road when driving north out of Lerwick.

In 2019 North Fish (Shetland) Ltd, which owns the existing turbine, received planning permission for a second one with a height of 77m.

However, the new application for a larger turbine supersedes the old one.

The wind generation at North Hoo Fields provides additional power to a nearby biomass facility at the Gremista Industrial Estate, which dries wood for energy use.

A second turbine was also due to be used for a new high temperature thermal storage project.

But North Fish director Angus Grains said that following unforeseen grid connection delays for the development which received consent in 2019, the turbine is no longer manufactured.

The new application is for a larger turbine with a capacity of 2.3MW; the previous application was for a 900kW generator.

“Following discussions with Shetland Islands Council planning department, it was determined we required a new planning application, rather than a variation to the original approved planning permission,” Grains added.

“This planning application for the new machine is designed to utilise the existing location and the existing infrastructure to limit disruption.”

The existing turbine in the area has a total height of 67m.

Wood dried at the North Fish facility is then used to operate biomass boilers across Shetland, including at some leisure centres.

A planning statement said: “As a result of a growing demand for biomass boilers, the operators are looking to expand the business by installing an additional wind turbine on the same site, which will provide further clean, sustainable power directly to the biomass facility.

“This will enable it to achieve future growth while operating within a sustainable model whereby it is protected from rising energy costs.”