Energy / Civil engineering firm behind plans for two wind turbines south of Brae
A LOCAL company is looking to install two wind turbines on land south of Brae.
EMN Plant Ltd is developing plans for two 107-metre high turbines to the east of the Valleyfield Guest House on the Hill of Wethersta.
Its managing director Ellis Nicolson said the aim behind the development, on family croft land, was to provide local energy to Shetland while also supporting the business.
He also said there was a desire to run a community benefit scheme in the Brae area, potentially offering local groups or charities a slice of funding which could amount to £20,000 to £25,000 a year.
Nicolson said the intention was to go for two smaller 107 metre turbines instead of one larger one which he felt would be more “fitting” for the site.
In comparison, the Viking wind farm turbines are 155 metres high.
The two turbines could generate up to four to five megawatts.
A planning statement said there would be access tracks and a couple of substation buildings, which would have footprints of 16.7m x 6.2m and 4.2m x 8m.
It added that “significant visual effects” would limited to a “relatively small number of people living, travelling, or enjoying the landscape within approximately 2.5 km of the proposed development”.
“As such, significant effects are considered localised,” the statement said.
Nicolson said the idea first came about when EMN undertook civil works for the Garth wind farm in Yell around a decade ago.
He said a company like EMN, which has more than 40 employees, can have “peaks and troughs” – and during the quieter moments there can be large overheads.
“It’s really something to try and get a steady income for the business to help through the low periods,” he said.
“It’s about a local business trying to provide some local power, and help consolidate and sustain the business.”
Nicolson said the plans were of a smaller scale compared to other wind developments, and that it was “trying to keep the revenue in Shetland”.
Looking to the future, Nicolson said there could potentially be opportunities to use the power from the turbines for a particular purpose – “it might even be just to power batteries or charge electric cars and trucks”.
He also said the company has been told that there should be zero curtailment from the two turbines, meaning they will always be able to send power to the local distribution grid.
Nicolson also said there would be “minimal peat disturbance” from the development.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
