Unique chance to come off fossil fuels

SHETLAND could see the installation of plug-in points at every household for islanders to charge their electric vehicles at no cost.

A public transport system using hybrid buses and hydrogen powered ferries would save islanders thousands of pounds every year as cash made from renewable energy project makes life in one of the remotest island communities in Europe affordable again.

This is the vision of MSP Tavish Scott who told delegates at Thursday night’s AGM of the Shetland Renewable Energy Forum that funds expected to pour in once the first large green energy projects come off the ground should be used to develop a carbon free transport system.

That way every household in Shetland would clearly benefit from a renewables industry that is harnessing Shetland’s natural resources, and not just the local authority, land owners and some crofters, the Lib-Dem politician said.

Mr Scott described his idea as a “real investment in every Shetlander” that would make life in the isles cheaper, more enjoyable and less dependent on ever more expensive fossil fuels.

He said that at present:

• £31 million is spent annually on transport services in Shetland (air, ferry, bus);
• £45 million is spent on the external ferry service to Aberdeen;
• a 1p increase in fuel costs per litre means £50,000 increase in overall ferry fuel costs per annum;
• and that 74 per cent of islanders 17+ years of age own a car.

He said: “One of my great disappointments about the proposals for larger commercial as opposed to community renewable projects in Shetland has been the complete disconnect between all of us and these projects.

“If Shetland is to have a considerable number of wind turbines not just with Viking but from other commercial investments too, this provides a financial mechanism that gives a return to every Shetland household.

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“In other words instead of common good funds where a group of local people will decide on the best applications from hall committees (…) let Shetland invest in all its people. We all use a ferry, a bus, a local taxi or the car.”

And he told delegates: “Shetland now needs a strategy to deliver low carbon transport solutions and the resources to deliver that goal. This forum with the best brains, most committed individuals and a passion for real change should I suggest drive this process.”