Workshops to explore North Isles wind farm community benefit
WORKSHOPS on how to maximise community benefit from two planned wind farms in Yell are set to take place in the North Isles.
The events, to be hosted in September, will be led by local community councils and facilitated by Foundation Scotland and Local Energy Scotland.
Statkraft is planning two wind farms in Yell – the 18-turbine Energy Isles development to the northwest of the island, and Beaw Field in the south, which would have 17 turbines.
Construction is still some years away, though, given that they only have an expected grid connection date of 2032.
While discussions are ongoing, it has been agreed that community benefit would cover Yell, Unst and Fetlar.
As previously reported, communities are keen to see a higher rate of community benefit paid out than what has initially been proposed.
A spokesperson for Statkraft previously said the company has committed to the guideline figure of £5,000 per megawatt, index-linked to CPI (consumer price index) from March 2024.
But Unst Community Council member Alec Priest said there is a desire to see between at least £8,000 and £9,000 paid out per installed megawatt a year to reflect inflation since the £5,000 guideline was introduced more than a decade ago.
The upcoming workshops will be held in Yell, Unst and Fetlar, with the tagline: “Let’s start talking about North Isles community benefit”.
A poster for the events said: “No matter what your thoughts are about the Beaw Field and Energy Isles proposed wind farm developments, if they go ahead there is likely to be a community benefit fund for the North Isles.
“Community involvement in helping shape such a fund is important and we want to start a conversation around this.”
It added that the workshops would build on Shetland’s experience with community benefit, while also allowing folk to learn about other arrangements elsewhere in Scotland.
The workshops are said to be happening at the request of the North Isles community councils, with the cost of bringing Foundation Scotland to Shetland set to be met by the developer at the request of Yell Community Council.
The developer is not said to have any involvement in the design or delivery of the workshops.
The dates and times are listed below, with people advised to book a place in advance by emailing clerk.ycc@gmail.com
- 9 September – Burravoe Hall, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
- 10 September – Baltasound Hall, 6pm to 8pm
- 11 September – Fetlar Hall, 2pm to 4pm
- 11 September – Cullivoe Hall, 6pm to 8pm
- 12 September – Mid Yell Hall, drop-in between 10.30am and 1pm
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