Plans for fewer turbines at Mossy Hill wind farm approved

REVISED plans for the Mossy Hill wind farm on the outskirts of Lerwick which feature less turbines have been approved by Shetland Islands Council’s planning service.

The matter was dealt with by planning officers as a non-material variation to Mossy Hill’s existing consent, which was approved in 2019.

The Mossy Hill wind farm – planned on land near Lerwick and Scalloway – received planning consent from councillors for twelve 145 metres turbines in 2019.

However, after acquiring the development from Peel Energy in 2023, Statkraft has since revised the design to reduce the number of turbines to eight.

The approved variation also includes other “minor amendments” to tracks and the temporary construction compound to optimise construction, the application said.

Statkraft decided against pursuing a previous proposal to increase the turbine height to 155 metres, instead sticking with 145 metres.

There stands to be three turbines located on land to the north of the A970 on land opposite the junction to Ladies Drive.

The rest would be located on the hill opposite the road which runs from the Brig o’ Fitch towards Scalloway.

A substation building near to the Ladies Drive junction has already received planning permission.

Statkraft also has two wind farms proposed in Yell – Beaw Field and Energy Isles, both of which have consent.

However Statkraft is also considering potentially revising the plans for Beaw Field, which currently has consent for 17 turbines and was also acquired from Peel Energy.

Statkraft is also proposing ammonia plants at Dales Voe – very close to the Mossy Hill wind farm site – and near to the former Scatsta Airport.