Plans unveiled for energy park with ten wind turbines
PLANS for a new “energy park” near Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) which could feature up to ten wind turbines and battery storage have gone public.
Behind the Neshion Energy Park project is Neshion Ltd, a local joint venture led by Shetland Aerogenerators – which owns the Burradale and Luggie’s Knowe wind developments.
The wind turbines would have a maximum blade tip height of 200 metres, which are larger than Viking Energy’s 155 metres.
There are also plans for a 25MW battery energy storage system at the Neshion site.
The North Mainland site – covering around 630 hectares – is located to the east of SVT, which could be transformed in the coming years in the transition from oil and gas to cater for new energy developments such as hydrogen production and carbon capture.
Also near to this is proposed hydrogen production in the Scatsta area, which is being led by Statkraft.
The Neshion website said the site is “strategically positioned within an area that will play a central role in Shetland’s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy technologies, as the community works towards net zero targets”.
“By focusing energy developments in and around this existing industrial hub, the project aims to minimise the impact of the transition on other parts of the isles, making it a strategic and desirable choice for Shetland’s future,” it added.
A grid connection application process is underway.
As the total generating capacity would be over 50 megawatts, the decision on consent will lie with Scottish minsters.
It is anticipated that a planning application could be submitted in November, with construction potentially taking place between 2028 and 2030.
According to documents lodged with Companies House, shareholders in Neshion Ltd include Shetland Aerogenerators Limited, Non-Aero Limited, Quoys Ltd, Green Holm Ltd and Calbac Ltd.
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Meanwhile the Neshion team said they want the project to be of “maximum possible value to the community, while also making a serious contribution to Shetland’s energy future and the country’s energy transition”.
“Our goal is to align the positive outcomes from the project with local needs and aspirations by creating the package of benefits with input from the community,” it added.
“Delivering on these aspirations and those of the Scottish government and Shetland Islands Council can help us become a standard bearer for projects across Scotland.”
The project is exploring community and shared ownership options, community benefit mechanisms and local supply chain opportunities.
People will get a chance to learn more about the project at a public engagement event at the Mossbank Hall on Thursday 27 March from 2pm to 7pm.
Lauren Anderson, project manager at Shetland Aerogenerators and community engagement lead for Neshion Energy Park, said: “As a Shetland-based venture, we are keen to engage with the local community. Our event on 27 March will allow people to find out more about our plans and to share their views on how the development can best contribute to community priorities through community benefit schemes and the potential for shared ownership.”
Chief Executive of Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd and director of Neshion Ltd David Thomson added: “The submission of our Scoping Report to the ECU [Energy Consents Unit] is a milestone for this project. As we prepare to submit a full planning application, we are also exploring how this project can help deliver Shetland’s ambitions to secure a fair share from clean energy development.”
“Neshion Energy Park is being developed ‘In Shetland, By Shetland and For Shetland’. As a local company we intend to deliver what has been discussed recently around community participation. We want to help maximise the benefits of the energy transition for the people who live here and become a standard bearer for projects across Scotland.”
Last year plans also showed that two wind turbines were being proposed at SVT by operator EnQuest.
Offshore wind farms are also being proposed to the east of Shetland.
A second HVDC power link is planned between Shetland and the Scottish mainland to cater for the output from the offshore wind projects.
An SSE consultation recently suggested that the second HVDC link is expected to be connected to a new 400kV substation located in the “industrialised northern region” of the Shetland mainland.
On top of this SSE is also proposing two new high voltage underground distribution cables between Lerwick and the north of Shetland.
This will see SVT connect to the local grid via these new cables.
At the moment SVT is powered by its own gas-fired power station, which is set to be decommissioned in the years ahead.
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