Neshion Energy Park developer becomes first company to sign development charter
SHETLAND Aerogenerators has become the first company to sign the Shetland Development Charter.
The document, which was launched earlier this year, sets out the key expectations from investors when it comes to doing any work in Shetland.
Its main aims are to ensure Shetland’s move to renewable energy is fair for everyone, that the community is heard and local needs considered, and for projects to deliver a legacy for Shetland residents and local industry.
Energy and engineering business Shetland Aerogenerators says it is demonstrating its commitment to delivering clean, sustainable energy, along with improved energy security and local employment opportunities, by signing the charter.
The company is behind plans to build the Neshion Energy Park – which includes an eight turbine wind farm and a 25MW battery storage system – behind Sullom Voe oil terminal.
Shetland Aerogenerators said it would provide direct measures to tackle fuel poverty, including a local electricity discount scheme for nearby residents of Neshion.
A community ownership offer of at least five per cent of Neshion would also be on the table, it said, adding it would maximise the use of local businesses on the project.
Not everyone was supportive of the development charter when it was announced in July, with Sustainable Shetland’s Frank Hay saying his members were “seriously unimpressed” with the document.
Council chief Maggie Sandison then sought to clarify its purpose, saying it pulled together development principles the council has been working on for several years.
Shetland Aerogenerators said the charter was an important step to help ensure greater transparency in how new developments deliver benefits for communities.
Its development manager, Brendan Hall, said they had been living the principles of the energy charter “long before this document”.
“The alignment of our ambitions with the charter is exemplified by our proposed Neshion Energy Park project, which recently went into the consent process,” he said.
“In line with feedback from the local community, we are planning Shetland’s first local electricity discount scheme to directly reduce electricity bills and address fuel poverty at an individual household level, while also exploring options for a community stake in the development.”
The charter is being led by EmPowering Shetland, whose members include Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lerwick Port Authority, the Shetland Net Zero Energy Forum and the Norn Engineering Alliance.
EmPowering Shetland chairwoman Katrina Wisema said this was an “important first step for the Shetland Development Charter”.
“These commitments from Shetland Aerogenerators will bring real benefits to Shetland and opportunities to work closely with local industries and the local supply chain.
“The charter is about trust, transparency and working collaboratively.”
Council political leader Emma Macdonald also welcomed Shetland Aerogenerators becoming the first signatory of the charter.
“Shetland’s energy transition must be about working with people in Shetland and they should not be feeling that developments are being done to them.
“This charter sets out clear expectations of developers and I hope this is the first of many that sign up to the charter – helping our communities, developing our economy and protecting our environment.”
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