Viking monitoring to focus only on affected watercourses
Constrained energy also at lowest level yet in June 2026
MONITORING of watercourses around the Viking Energy wind farm is only to be continued in areas affected by the development’s construction work.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) has agreed that testing and monitoring of other burns and lochs can now cease, in agreement with Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and NatureScot.
Monitoring of the Burn of Lunklet and Burn of Weisdale, which were both adversely affected by run-offs from the Viking construction site, are likely to continue.
SSE had requested that the water quality monitoring plan move to a programme of targeted monitoring earlier this year.
The SIC’s planning department confirmed that it was now satisfied with SSE’s proposal, with the environmental health officer also in agreement.
The Burn of Lunklet was affected by a leaching of trace metals from a nearby borrow pit into the water, with a January 2023 report finding there was an “unprecedented” lack of trout in the area.
Changes to the hydrochemistry of the Burn of Weisdale, including an increased concentration of zinc and aluminium, were also noted in 2023.
Sustainable Shetland’s Frank Hay said the move to stop monitoring all watercourses “isn’t unexpected”.
“At least they are still looking at the problem areas, which is the least that we would expect,” he added.
Meanwhile SSE constrained the lowest amount of energy in the life of the Viking Energy wind farm to date in June.
Just 19,614 MWh was constrained throughout the month, with SSE also earning £276,891 in constraint payments – again, the lowest total since the wind farm went live in August 2024.
July 2025 was the next lowest total, with 26,337 MWh constrained and with SSE being paid £290,846 for the constrained energy.
SSE said in January that it would be investing £27 billion between 2025 and 2030 to remove bottlenecks in the system and to “unlock the full potential” of the wind farm.
A spokesperson for the energy giant told Shetland News this month that it was important the grid continued to be upgraded so more bottlenecks could be removed.
“SSE is investing more than it makes in profits – £18m a day – largely focused on strengthening the grid in the north of Scotland – to unlock the full potential of our clean power system, helping deliver energy security and lower bills for homes and businesses,” they added.
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.
