Brae energy hub and renovated youth centre open to the public
THE BRAE rural energy hub project has officially opened to the public today (Wednesday).
The UK Government funded project has refurbished and revamped the existing Brae Youth and Community Centre to provide a warm space to receive energy advice and tips.
The youth centre has also been returned to the community, along with the opening of Cari’s Café – which will provide light lunches and teas and coffees.
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The long-awaited project opened its doors for the first time this morning, with an official launch expected next month.
As well as a base for energy-related advice, the rural energy hub also includes co-working spaces and e-bikes to hire out.
It has been fully funded by the government’s Innovate UK programme.
Officials from the publicly-owned energy company GB Energy – which was set up by the Labour government to accelerate the transition to renewable power – were set to be among the first to visit the new energy hub this week.
Chief executive Dan McGrail and chairman Juergen Maier were due to visit the Brae hub as part of a three-day trip to Shetland.
Funding of nearly £5 million was announced in December 2023 for Shetland and Orkney strands of a rural energy hub project, with the Brae youth centre later identified as the hub location for Shetland.
With the youth centre closed for work to begin, groups which usually used the centre moved to the nearby Brae Hall instead.
It had been hoped that the rural energy hub would be open at the start of 2026, but delays have pushed the opening back towards the end of the year.
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The energy hub staff are being employed through a community interest company, which features a number of local directors, with funding secured through the Coastal Communities Fund and the Viking wind farm benefit fund.
The money will support running costs for at least the next three years at the energy hub.
Alongside the energy hub and youth centre, Cari Shen has opened up Cari’s Café in the building as well.
Offering light lunches such as soup, bannocks and paninis, the café will be open from 11am to 3pm from Wednesday to Saturday.
The energy hub will be open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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