Objection lodged against SVT turbines over impact on port’s radar system
ONE of the two proposed wind turbines at Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) would cause “unacceptable” interference with the radar system at the nearby harbour.
Shetland Islands Council’s port infrastructure manager Andrew Inkster said in a planning objection that the issue relates to the turbine’s location.
The council runs the Port of Sullom Voe, which is used by oil tankers going to and from Sullom Voe Terminal.
Late last year plans were lodged by SVT operator EnQuest for two turbines at the terminal. They would reach 149.9 metres from ground to tip height, with an output of 4.8MW each.
Currently SVT is fuelled by its own 100MW gas-fired power station, but this stands to go out of service once the terminal is connected to the grid, with work ongoing to lay cabling in public roads.
SVT operator EnQuest previously said it was considering up to seven turbines at the site as it looks to decarbonise its operations while moving activity at the terminal towards new energy such as hydrogen production.
The two turbines would be located on unused land within the western part of SVT site.
But Inkster has written to the planning service to express concern over the impact one of the turbines could have on the port’s radar.
“Having considered the location of the proposed turbines, it has become clear that one of the proposed turbines will create interference with our radar system in Sullom Voe Harbour,” he wrote.
“In terms of port operational safety, this interference has been assessed as unacceptable by our harbour master and our marine pilots.
“On this basis, Sullom Voe Harbour Authority would object to the development without suitable mitigation being included as part of the developer’s proposals.”
There is also a proposal from Shetland Aerogenerators for eight turbines on land to the east of the SVT site as part of the Neshion energy park.
Neshion is working alongside EnQuest subsidiary Veri Energy on a proposed synthetic fuel development at SVT, with the energy park providing electricity for the project.
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