For the benefit of our isles

It has been a number of weeks now since Viking Energy’s revised plans for the windfarm were unveiled. Our team listened to what people said and made changes to address concerns. We believe we now have a project that will bring huge benefits to Shetland.

Windfarms are being built all over Scotland but Shetland is in a unique position because the community has a major stake in the project.

As individuals who have spent our lives living and working in Shetland, and now as councillors who are acutely aware of the very real challenges that face Shetland, we strongly believe that the Viking Energy windfarm is an opportunity that must be pursued.

Shetland has few natural advantages and our enviable facilities and services cannot continue as they are without a pro-active growing economy. Opportunities to diversify our economy do not come along often and although the project has been scaled down, it remains large enough to justify the interconnector, which creates opportunities to develop wind, wave, tidal and other renewable technologies.

Shetlanders have always been a self-reliant and resilient people. We have one of the best wind resources in the world and we have the opportunity to harness this for the benefit of our islands and beyond.

Our oil fund has been the envy of Scotland for decades, providing an unparalleled level of community services. Let’s now do the same for future generations with a Shetland wind fund.

Bill Manson
Alastair Cooper
Caroline Miller
Directors,
Viking Energy
North Ness,
Lerwick.

COMMENTS(7)

Add Your Comment
  • Phil Smith

    • November 17th, 2010 15:44

    For the benefit of “OUR ISLE’S” or for the benefit of a few ??

    You have not acted as Councillor’s.

    You have not listened to the majority of folk against this diabolical project.

    You have only acted as developer’s for the windfarm.

    Stop wasting public money on this project, get some common sense and pull the plug on it NOW.

    REPLY
  • Allen Fraser

    • November 17th, 2010 18:57

    Be careful Phil – they don’t take kindly to criticism and may set Donald Trump’s lawyer after you. They seem to be happy to spend Shetland pensioners’ money to find ways out of their responsibilities.

    Allen Fraser.

    REPLY
  • Simon Barr

    • November 17th, 2010 20:10

    I do not accept that ‘Shetland has few natural advantages’, I chose to live here because of the abundance of the very natural advantages that are apparently being denied by the directors of Viking Energy.

    I do however accept that Shetland will have at least one less natural advantage should the Viking Energy Partnership get their wish, that being the stunning visual appearance of the central mainland would be decimated.

    The Energy Consents Unit has received my updated objection.

    REPLY
  • Kathy Greaves

    • November 17th, 2010 20:16

    I note that although the authors of this letter sign themselves as directors of VE, they also write as SIC councillors and as trustees of the Charitable Trust. No conflict of interest there then.

    “………….and now as councillors …………..”

    “Let’s now do the same for future generations …………..” which they can effect, as they have a vote on this, as trustees, and we don’t.

    REPLY
  • ali Inkster

    • November 18th, 2010 8:03

    For all those who are still undecided, caroline is all for the windfarm so it must make good financial sense for shetland, just look at her track record after all.

    REPLY
  • Steve Mullay

    • November 18th, 2010 20:33

    Cogent and very relevant letter; we should all take these points on board and consider them carefully. Sadly, a largely hysterical and sometimes crass set of comments in response. Invective aimed at individuals has no place in this community debate.

    REPLY
  • James Duncan

    • November 19th, 2010 10:09

    Viking Energy is an ideal project for Shetland; it’s time is now.
    Those who have had the vision and commitment to carry it forward are to be commended.

    REPLY

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