Viking windfarm used to promote Shetland at energy conference

The nascent Viking Energy windfarm is among the developments being used to promote the isles as a centre of excellence in energy at a major conference this week.

A 20-page magazine, Power from the North, produced by marketing organisation Promote Shetland, will be distributed at the All-Energy conference and exhibition in Aberdeen.

It aims to show prospective investors the “vast potential and experience available in the islands in all aspects of the energy industry”.

The controversial windfarm received consent from the Scottish government last month and work has already begun on the pre-construction phase.

If Shetland Charitable Trust approves the next round of interim funding of £6.3 million, and ultimately decides to invest in the multi-million pound project, it will net the charity a projected £23 million-a-year. If the trust decides to sell its share, partner Scottish and Southern Energy has vowed to proceed on its own.

The magazine states: “The go-ahead for Viking is not just confirmation of the islands’ potential but will mean the long-awaited interconnector between Shetland and the Scottish mainland will go ahead. The 600 megawatt subsea power cable should be in place by 2016 and truly releases the potential of Shetland as a renewable energy powerhouse.”

Andy Steven of Promote Shetland said: “Shetland’s world-wide reputation for wildlife and splendid, unpolluted scenery is matched by the vast range of industrial abilities available here and the huge potential in both producing renewable energy and servicing the existing oil and gas activities. Not to mention the enormous market that’s opening up in decommissioning.

“We have the nearest UK decomissioning sites to the North Sea and Atlantic fields, the biggest potential when it comes to renewables, and we are going to be securely connected to the UK mainland for both power generation and telecoms. We need to tell this story with confidence and verve.”

Apart from the windfarm, the oil industry in general and the Laggan-Tormore project and BP’s massive investment in particular are highlighted, as are the ancillary engineering and associated service companies in the isles.

Last week’s announcement of the £10 million Scottish government investment in establishing a deepwater decommissioning base at Dales Voe is also featured.

Meanwhile, Highlands and Islands Enterprise board member Steve Thomson will tell the conference the Scottish islands are leading the renewable energy revolution.

In a presentation tomorrow he will say: “Our island communities are known for their resourcefulness, innovative ideas and creativity. They have a history of energy developments – back to the peak of the oil and gas industry across Scotland and they are now leading the way with renewables and new types of energy generation.”

Originally from Falkirk, Mr Thomson moved to Tiree with his family after falling in love with life in the island. He joined HIE’s board in 2008 and is involved in a number of community ventures including Tiree Community Broadband, Tiree Renewable Energy Limited and Our Power based in Cairndow – run by local charity Here We Are.

The event at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre has attracted delegates from across the globe, with over 580 exhibitors from over 20 countries and 300-plus speakers.

The Promote Shetland magazine is available online at www.shetland.org/energy

COMMENTS(10)

Add Your Comment
  • ian tinkler

    • May 22nd, 2012 16:41

    These idiots will not be happy until Shetland is a mass of concrete and rusty metal.
    Loads of money, not a scrap of sense!

    REPLY
  • Lindsay Wiseman

    • May 23rd, 2012 0:06

    Ian, for one I agree with you but for “loads of money”?? what ever!!!

    REPLY
  • Gordon Harmer

    • May 23rd, 2012 6:20

    “Our island communities are known for their resourcefulness, innovative ideas and creativity. They have a history of energy developments”.

    “These idiots will not be happy until Shetland is a mass of concrete and rusty metal. Loads of money, not a scrap of sense!”

    I ask my self which one of these guys will secure our future and which one of these guys head is full of rusty metal and not a scrap of sense?

    REPLY
  • Sandy McMillan

    • May 23rd, 2012 21:43

    Gordon you are the one with the head full of nothing other than rust, dont you realise what Viking Energy and there pals are going to do to Shetland, Firstly use our money, Secondly destroy our Landscape, Thirdly Totally destroy Shetland as we know it.
    Sandy McMillan

    REPLY
  • J G Halcrow

    • May 24th, 2012 0:17

    Perhaps Mr Tinkler should follow the national news and see that it is not acceptable to call people idiots (or worse) even if you are the Prime Minister!

    For a gentleman who has achieved the status of a professional I can’t say that Mr Tinkler’s arguments impress me when he resorts to name calling. Surely his education is wasted if he can’t put his point across without resorting to name calling and insults.

    I’ve just came back from south recently and I have to say that wind turbines are springing up everywhere and it didn’t bother me at all. I was very close to one cluster of 16 wind turbines and the noise in a very windy day there was much the same as Lerwick hears from the boats in the harbour and most of us never notice that background noise.

    REPLY
  • Gordon Harmer

    • May 25th, 2012 17:27

    Sandy I think I prefer the side of you that is articulate in profanities and name calling.
    Because when you try to debate you make me wonder if you are actually a resident of ancient Philistia rather than the true breed Shetlander you claim to be.

    REPLY
  • Sandy McMillan

    • May 25th, 2012 23:49

    Gordon, I am just one of the boys and girls, who are trying to save our Shetland, from the dreaded VE and the SS, sorry must remember the E, as a born and breed Shetlander, not like some of you who did not know where Shetland was until the OIL started flowing, I will support the cause to stop, VE and SSE from erecting these wind farms, for the sake of OUR Shetland Isles.
    Sandy McMillan

    REPLY
  • Gordon Harmer

    • May 28th, 2012 20:22

    Sandy I was well aware of where The Shetland Isles where before the oil, my Aunty Kitty taught me where they where when I first went to school in Gutcher in 1956. In those days people were leaving Shetland because there was no work, and the wind farm will ensure that those days do not return.
    As far as trying to stop the wind farm being erected, as well as coming from ancient Philistia you think you are some kind of King Canute.

    REPLY
  • Sandy McMillan

    • May 29th, 2012 0:05

    Gordon you have still got it wrong, the wind farms will only employ a few after they are erected, the last figure being 30 full time positions, but again this is like the rest of the figures all speculation, I wish i was some kind of Canute my first deployment would be to stop Viking Energy and Scottish and Southern Energy, this is just another case of the multinational companies walking over the people who dont have the means to take them on,
    I truly think that Shetlanders have not surrendered, in fact i dont think the battle has really started, Gordon beware when it does start.

    REPLY
  • David Mcdowall

    • May 30th, 2012 7:46

    Just so you know King Canute did not really think he could turn back the tide. He was demonstrating to his followers that despite being a Kng he was still just a man.

    REPLY

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