A brief summary of the Energy Isles Wind Farm has been published, showing how it has evolved since first being proposed eight years ago. From its first beginnings as a 63 turbine project, the wind farm has constantly been re-assessed and refined as more information and feedback has been received.

The 23 turbine project submitted this year strikes the right balance between utilising the wind resource of the North Isles to generate clean energy, and respecting the local environment and landscape. Ask a question or comment on the project.

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Read the Project Information Leaflet

Final plans for a proposed wind farm in North Yell have been submitted to the Scottish Government by Energy Isles Shetland.

The Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) submitted to the Scottish Government by renewable energy company Statkraft represents the final plans for the proposed wind farm which was initially conceived by a group of local businesses in 2012. The group later formed Energy Isles Ltd in 2014 to pursue the application which was originally submitted in May 2019. Statkraft was announced as the development partner in October 2019.

The final proposals for the Energy Isles wind farm include 23 turbines, 14 with a tip height of 200m and 9 with a tip height of 180m, with an installed capacity of approximately 160MW. The project is estimated to generate electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of 190,000 homes. A Community Benefit Fund for the project would deliver £800,000 per year, a total of £24m over the 30-year life of the wind farm.

The development and construction phase is expected to bring a total of £20.3m of investment to Shetland.

Charlotte Healey, Project Manager for Statkraft, said: “The Energy Isles wind farm is a very important renewable energy project for Statkraft and I am very proud to see the final plans and Supplementary Environmental Information submitted to the Scottish Government.”

“Working with the initial consortium who conceived and developed this project has been nothing short of inspirational. The support and information we have had from the community has been incredible and they truly see the potential for this project to help transform Shetland into a hub for renewable energy.”

Derek Jamieson from Energy Isles Limited said: “It’s been a long hard road to get to this point where the final plans for the Energy Isles wind farm can be submitted. The work by local folk to develop an initial idea from way back in 2012 to today shows the enthusiasm to bring renewable energy to Yell.”

“Throughout this process the project has received strong support from local folk, but we’ve also worked very hard as a team to, where possible, address matters raised by consultees and the wider public so that our final submission reflects a project we hope the communities of the North Isles can be truly proud of.”

The full application can be viewed on the project website and will be open for public comment between 4 September – 12 October 2020 at www.energyconsents.scot.

Statkraft is also a member of the Shetland Renewable Development Network (SRDN) and has held 2 Suppliers’ Days, attended by over 100 local businesses.

As part of the community consultation, three separate series of exhibitions have been held as the project has evolved, in June 2018, February 2019 and February 2020. Statkraft have also held discussions locally involving Local Energy Scotland and local people over the possibility of Shared Ownership in the project.

END

Notes for Editors:

About Energy Isles wind farm:

• Energy Consents Unit Reference: ECU00001844
• 23 turbines
• 14 turbines with 200m tip height
• 9 turbines with 180m tip height
• Approximately 160MW installed capacity
• Equivalent to the average annual electricity demand of 197,572 typical homes*

*based on average consumption of 3,618 kWh pa. BEIS, 2019

In October 2019, Energy Isles Limited, the consortium of over 50 mainly Shetland-based companies working together to develop a wind farm in the north of Yell, announced their new development partner, Norwegian energy company, Statkraft.

The announcement follows the submission of a full planning application for a 29 turbine wind farm in May 2019 to Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act.

Director of Energy Isles Derek Jamieson said: “We’ve undertaken a great deal of work on this project over the past five years and, as a consortium made up of primarily small to medium-sized local businesses, we were clear from an early stage that there would come a time when we’d need to bring on board the right development partner to help us take things forward.

“In choosing Statkraft we have found a company that shares our commitment to maximising the benefits of Shetland's emerging new renewable energy sector.

“Statkraft has a great reputation in the green energy sector across the world and has the financial capability to help us deliver the Energy Isles wind farm. They understand the work that has already gone into the project and have the expertise to help us take it to the next stage.”

Statkraft UK Managing Director, David Flood said: “We are delighted to come to an agreement with Energy Isles and this fits perfectly with our onshore wind power strategy”.

"The Energy Isles team has done a great job in getting the scheme to where it is today. We are sure that adding our experience and expertise will allow the development of the wind farm to continue to progress and we look forward to working together.”

Derek Jamieson added: “Over the coming decades onshore wind power has a crucial role to play in helping to meet our climate change targets. By investing in renewable energy solutions, Shetland has the opportunity to continue exporting energy to the wider world, diversifying our economy and creating opportunities for future generations.

To find out more about Statkraft, go to www.statkraft.co.uk

Visit www.energyisles.co.uk/documents to view historical project information, and learn more about the Energy Isles consortium,

Local residents from the North Isles were invited to view updated plans for the Energy Isles Wind Farm on Yell. The plans from Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, were on view at Cullivoe Hall on Tuesday 4^th February 2020 from 12 noon - 7pm.

Charlotte Healey, Project Director for Statkraft said; “This is our third consultation and we have talked to a lot of local residents about our proposals. The feedback we received has influenced how we have taken the project forward.

“We have continued to work behind the scenes with key statutory consultees and this has led us to the final layout and design that we will be showing to people at the exhibition.”

In 2019, Energy Isles Limited announced a development partnership with Statkraft. The project is continuing under the banner of Energy Isles Shetland Limited.

View the information on display.