A Shetland Energy Plan is needed
The Energy invasion of Shetland surely deserves a comprehensive Shetland Energy Plan from SSEN. Without it, Shetland will be eaten up piecemeal.
This needs to start with their workers’ housing, then a complete plan of electrical distribution onshore and offshore.
Only then can we see what is coming. SIC is responsible for planning in Shetland, so why is the council leadership trying to avoid responsibility?
We elected them to look after the interests of Shetland. If that means standing up to central government, so be it.
Have we asked central government why there are no wind farms on the Pentland Hills with SSEN substations attached? Is it that Shetland is more expendable? Do North Sea wind farms need Shetland when a substation on a redundant oilrig could keep the cables direct to Scotland?
The Shetland Energy Plan would mean that SSEN will have to build houses for their workers before starting work, then proceed to the plan agreed with SIC Planning.
This will take some years to implement but could mean a useful legacy with our landscape and nature surviving.
Meanwhile the efforts of Tingwall and the other community councils to establish a method in this shambles is to be supported. Well done them.
John Scott
Bressay
