Energy / Energy Isles wind farm now only expected to connect to grid in late 2028
THE TIMESCALE for the proposed Energy Isles wind farm in Yell to go live has slipped to late 2028.
A spokesperson for developer Statkraft said they understood that 2028 allows time for SSEN to assess the connection options to Yell and to get the necessary consents in place for the preferred option.
When the 18-turbine Energy Isles development was given planning consent by the Scottish Government last year, Statkraft said it aimed for the wind farm to be operational by early 2027.
Statkraft’s other Yell project Beaw Field, which would feature 17 turbines, is also expected to connect towards the end of 2028.
Moves have now been made to change the construction commencement deadline on Beaw Field’s planning consent from 2024 to 2026.
SSEN has long raised the prospect of a subsea cable from the Shetland mainland to Yell to allow the wind farms to export power, but it is still in the planning phase. A switching station is also mooted for the south of Yell, as well as new overhead lines.
Meanwhile Statkraft’s third wind farm in Shetland – Mossy Hill on the outskirts of Lerwick – should energise quicker than the Yell ones.
The spokesperson said that currently Statkraft expects the 12-turbine wind farm to go live before the end of 2027.
They added that this will connect into one of the new cables currently being installed by SSEN between Lerwick and Kergord.
This cabling is being put in place ahead of SSE’s 103-turbine Viking Energy wind farm going live later this year, and Shetland being connected to the national grid for the first time.
No construction has started on any of Statkraft’s three wind farm projects, but this is expected in the coming years.
In addition Statkraft plus partners are also in negotiations with Shetland Islands Council about leasing land at the former Scatsta Airport for green hydrogen production. Wind energy could be used for the production process.
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