Community / Anger at SSEN’s failure to seriously consider community requests
SOME councillors have expressed anger and frustration after it emerged that SSEN Transmission (SSENT) had already issued a response to demands for a cumulative impact assessment of all its current Shetland projects even before a motion was passed by the SIC last week.
They said the timescale suggests the company had given “little or no thought to the request by councillors.”
On Wednesday, the SIC unanimously passed a motion that requests the company undertake a cumulative impact assessment (CIA) for all its projects in Shetland.
The motion reflects widespread concern in the community about the detriment impact proposed large energy infrastructure projects will have on Shetland’s landscape, environment and its people.
In addition to the existing Kergord substation, the company responsible for upgrading the electricity transmission network is developing another seven projects including a second substation – Kergord 2 – and lines of large pylons through the north mainland.
However, before the motion was discussed and passed at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, some of the local media, including Shetland News, had received a response on request from SSENT.
A spokesperson said that as part of the environment assessment undertaken for new projects, SSEN Transmission is considering cumulative effects with other developments “in line with well-established industry guidance”.
“The result of this forms part of future consenting processes and we are keen to discuss these specific areas in more detail with stakeholders,” they also said.
“We will continue working closely with Shetland Islands Council and local communities as we progress future transmission projects, which will play a crucial role in achieving our country’s energy security and clean power ambitions.”
Council to request SSEN provides cumulative impact assessment for future projects
Chair of the council’s environment and transport committee, Moraig Lyall, said she was disappointed to read the response from the company and expressed hopes that SSENT would give it more thought when replying to the council leader.
“I would hope that when they receive the formal letter from the council leader on the motion, bearing in mind the lengthening community petition on the matter, that they will give this the attention it deserves, recognise the strength of feeling in the islands, and undertake, as requested, to produce a full cumulative impact assessment of all the planned developments on our land, sea and community,” she said.
Shetland North councillor Andrew Hall said the “knee jerk” response from the company indicated its failure to seriously consider concerns expressed by the community.
“I spent over 15 hours at four SSEN ‘public consultation events’ where SSEN staff were at pains to encourage as much feedback as possible,” he said.
“The immediate response from SSEN, before they formally received the request for a CIA from the council, clearly indicates a failure on their part to seriously consider the community’s concerns with regard to their future transmission projects.”
He added: “I will attend future SSEN community propaganda events but this knee jerk response reinforces my view that there will be no meaningful consultation with the community.”
A petition requesting the burying of all cables needed to connect substations and for a CIA to be carried out is meanwhile gaining considerable support throughout the isles.
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