Energy Isles submits planning application to Scottish Ministers

Energy Isles Limited, the consortium of over fifty mainly Shetland-based companies working together to develop a wind farm in the north of Yell, has now submitted a planning application to Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act.

The submitted proposal is for the erection of twenty-nine wind turbines and associated infrastructure.

Director of Energy Isles Derek Jamieson said: -

“We’ve undertaken a great deal of work over the past fifteen months to make sure we put forward a design that will be both efficient and environmentally acceptable. We believe we have succeeded in our ambition to do this.

“Through conversations with local folk at our public exhibitions in the North Isles last summer and again at the beginning of this year, plus regular meetings with the Community Liaison Group throughout the whole process, we received helpful feedback that played an important part in shaping the final planning application.

“Over the coming decades onshore wind power has a crucial role to play in helping to meet our climate change targets. The Energy Isles Wind Farm will play an important part in supporting this.

“Everybody involved in Energy Isles shares the belief that Shetland must maximise the benefits of the emerging renewables industry for the good of the local economy and community, and it appears that local folk are in agreement with us on this - at our exhibitions in February, we invited attendees to complete a feedback form which revealed that 80% of respondents were supportive of our plans, 9% neutral and 11% opposed.

“We will continue to provide updates about the progress of the project through our project website (www.energyisles.co.uk) and via the Energy Isles Community Liaison Group.”