Shetland windfarm could provide 25% of Scotland’s energy

The Shetland Islands could soon be home to a 540MW wind farm, providing up to a quarter of Scotland’s energy needs.

Under the proposed scheme Europe’s largest onshore wind farm would be built on the islands, which have the strongest and most consistent winds in Europe.

The proposal, which will see 150 turbines up to 145m high covering an area of 250 hectares, has been put together by Viking Energy, a joint venture between the Shetland community and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).

Viking Energy estimates that the wind farm would generate more than £37 million per year for the local economy, with £23 million going to the Shetland Charitable Trust.

If the project is approved by the Scottish Parliament, building work could begin as soon as 2011, with energy generated from 2016.

Some of Shetland’s 22,000 residents are concerned that the project is too large for Shetland, and a petition against the development has so far collected 2,500 signatures.

Viking Energy, however, said the development has been carefully planned in the interests of Shetland’s residents.

Bill Manson, Viking Energy chairman and local councillor, said: “Shetland Islands Council took the decision to become an active partner in the investigation into a large scale wind farm when we realised a number of energy companies had become interested in developing here.

“By doing so we have been able to ensure the interests of local residents are central to the development proposals, and that the community will benefit economically to an extent unseen before.”