Viking wind farm shortlisted for renewable awards

THE VIKING wind farm, which continues to divide opinion in the local community, has been shortlisted in a number of categories for this year’s green energy awards.

The SSE Renewables owned wind farm, which started producing electricity earlier this year, is a finalist in the outstanding project and the sustainable development categories.

SSEN Transmission’s high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Shetland and the Scottish mainland has also been shortlisted in the sustainable development category.

And SSE Renewables’ community investment team is a finalist for the champion of renewables award.

The “most productive onshore wind farm in the UK” which started life as a project in which the community had a 45 per cent stake through Shetland Charitable Trust, is now being used by campaigners and local councillors as an example of where improvements in community benefit and community wealth building need to be made.

First minister John Swinney was strongly lobbied on both these topics by council leaders when he visited the isles earlier this month.

Meanwhile, during a debate in the Commons on community benefit earlier this week, isles MP Alistair Carmichael said the acceptance for large renewable projects such as the 103 turbine Viking wind farm could be boosted if local people would get more out of it.

The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2024 are being run by trade body Scottish Renewables.

Winners in the 14 different categories will be announced during a ceremony in Edinburgh on 5 December.

The full shortlist can be found here.