Energy / ‘We have to fight Shetland’s corner’: SIC convener’s energy projects concern
Manson said there is concern in the North Mainland community over what is on the horizon, with ‘pylons’ part of the proposals
SHETLAND Islands Council convener Andrea Manson believes the SIC should not “roll over” and let energy developers do what they want as more infrastructure is proposed in her north ward.
She told a meeting of Shetland Islands Council’s environment and transport committee on Monday that “we really have to fight Shetland’s corner”.
And the senior councillor also claimed officials have admitted that the overhead lines constructed in Tingwall in recent years were a “mistake”.
Her comments come as SSEN continue to consult on proposals for significant new infrastructure from the central mainland to the north mainland.
This includes a new substation north of Kergord which would connect to “pylons” larger than any overhead lines already in Shetland.
These lines would connect a large substation hub, potentially near Scatsta/Sullom Voe, which would facilitate a second HVDC cable to the Scottish mainland as well as offshore wind to the east of the isles.
Statkraft is also proposing a large hydrogen/ammonia plant in Scatsta, while local company Shetland Aerogenerators has raised plans for an eight-turbine wind farm near Sullom Voe Terminal.
For individual projects, planning consent for onshore wind developments with a capacity above 50MW is decided on by the Scottish Government and not locally.
However, it is expected that Statkraft’s two proposed ammonia plants – at Scatsta and also the outskirts of Lerwick – stand to be determined by Shetland Islands Council as they are not electricity generating projects.
SSEN said for overhead lines, applications go to the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit.
Ahead of a rescheduled SSEN consultation event in Voe on Thursday which will discuss new overhead lines and a new substation, Manson said there was “genuine dismay” in her ward over proposed infrastructure and a feeling that it was already a “done deal”.
She asked what the SIC intends to do to ensure the environmental impact, the social impact and the “feelings of the residents who rely on us to fight their corner” are properly addressed.
Manson added that the projects could “destroy Shetland’s green and beautiful island reputation forever”.
Infrastructure director John Smith said the issue is a “matter of genuine concern” to folk in the community “and to the council”.
He said the reality, however, is that SSEN has rights to undertake transmission and distribution work, such as how cables are being laid in the public road in the Kames for the Shetland North Reinforcement Project, which has been causing disruption for motorists for months.
SSEN set to install cabling solely on public roads for North Mainland project
He said SSEN is entitled to do that but added that the alternatives could have been for the company to go off-road, or through overhead lines.
As such, Smith said the distribution network is a “little bit of a can’t win”.
He said the role of the council is to “campaign” on behalf of the community to question whether alternatives can be used.
Smith added that the council is attempting to at least get developers working together, “to see how infrastructure can be shared”.
But “fundamentally there isn’t the set of powers just to stop it – it’s a set of nationally important infrastructure where decisions are taken in other places”.
Smith added that SSEN is a regulated business, so it has to comply with the “most economically beneficial arrangements to protect the price of consumer”.
“But it’s certainly possible to campaign, to urge, to focus on areas of particular sensitivity, and sometimes that can get plans adapted or altered,” he continued.
Smith said the SIC has also been encouraging developers to engage with the public, promoting “robust” discussion.
In response, Manson highlighted how other areas including Moray have had active campaigns against pylons, which have had some success.
She said she does not have a “nimby” – not in my back yard – attitude.
“I realise that it’s going to come, but it’s just the case that we have to make sure that it’s done in the most sympathetic way to the fact that we have unspoilt scenery,” Manson said.
“One of the consultants at one of the many things that we’ve had in the hall, admitted that they had made a mistake at the Tingwall Valley and that that was unfortunate,” he said.
“We really have to fight Shetland’s corner and make sure that just because it’s green and it’s meant to be good for the country…we have to look after our island.”
Committee chair Moraig Lyall said it is an issue of “considerable concern” for many in Shetland.
“I would echo all the comments that you’ve made,” she said.
The Shetland Central councillor also repeated claims that admissions have been made over the overhead lines in Tingwall.
“They have now come out and vocally said that the choices that they made for the Tingwall Valley were not the right ones, and I think it’s important that we ensure that we get the best possible outcome for the North Mainland,” she said.
In response to the Tingwall claims, a spokesperson for SSEN said they would not comment on discussions with councillors.
However an SSEN Transmission spokesperson said: “Community engagement forms a key part of our project development process, and we are committed to taking on board the views of local communities as we plan for our new proposed Shetland projects.
“Our current proposals seek to reduce the number of circuits in order to avoid more significant impacts, and members of the public will have the opportunity to discuss our plans for new overhead line infrastructure at our consultation event taking place at Voe Public Hall from 3-8pm on Thursday.”
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