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Support for Renewable Energy Development in Shetland |
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Supply Chain & Infrastructure |
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 Shetland has an extremely good road and sea infrastructure for supporting renewable energy developments. Besides the large commercial harbours in Lerwick, Scalloway and Sullom Voe, there are another 10 well-equipped small ports throughout Shetland – most of which are owned and run by Shetland Islands Council. The oil and construction industries in Shetland have a considerable amount of plant available locally which can be hired for transport, site preparation and installation of equipment for renewable energy generation. |
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SIC – Development Department, Planning |
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| Shetland Islands Council Local Plan outlines the general planning principles which will govern the consideration of applications for renewable energy schemes. The general section of this document states that “It is important that renewable energy sources and technology on a commercial scale are tried, tested and used for the benefit of consumers in Shetland”. The Shetland Local Economic Forum plan for Shetland 2012, envisages that “Shetland will be recognised as a major source of renewable energy in a UK context”. These positive attitudes towards the development of renewable energy in Shetland characterise the overall stance adopted by Shetland Islands Council with regard to renewables. |
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SEC/HIE |
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| Shetland Enterprise has included as a key priority for the period 2002 – 2003, to “develop opportunities for renewable energy projects”. Its parent organisation Highlands & Islands Enterprise has formalised its strategic commitment to developing renewable energy by establishing a Community Energy Unit, and a Renewable Energy Forum involving all enterprise companies within the network. The renewable energy adviser for HIE in Orkney & Shetland is Sandy Macaulay (sandy@smpower.shetland.co.uk). |
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Local shareholding, rental agreements and contribution to community development. |
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| Throughout the Highlands & Islands the basic principle of community stakeholding in local renewable energy development has been established by incorporating as part of a standard package, both a contribution to local community development, as well as shareholding oportunities for individuals and community groups. Embracing from the outset the principles of community stakeholding in renewable energy development, was one of the major factors in the rapid expansion of wind powered elecrticity generation in Denmark. In Shetland the local authority established a mechanism from the 1970’s until the early 1990s to ensure a contribution by oil companies using the Sullom Voe Terminal, to a community development fund. In contrast to the current stance of the oil industry, the renewable energy industry appears to be ready to accommodate the principle of contributing directly to community development in the areas in which it is extracting a profit. |
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