Have your say on the Shetland Energy Strategy

An online consultation into the Shetland Energy Strategy has been launched.

Led by Shetland Islands Council’s Future Energy Team, the  Strategy aims to put people at the forefront of a transition to clean, secure and affordable energy for everyone.

It is designed to act as a framework for decision makers for energy transition projects in the isles, and it calls for a Shetland approach that recognises residents’ interests and concerns.

The strategy builds on the work of Shetland’s first Energy Transition Taskforce and its ‘A Fair Share For Shetland’ report which was endorsed by the Council in December 2024.  This set out steps to achieve a fair share of renewables activity as well as examining things like community benefit, local, community, or shared ownership and fiscal and regulatory measures.

The Shetland Energy Strategy has five key aims:

• To put people at the forefront of energy transition
• To act as a blueprint for developers, funders and decision makers
• To hold key partners in Shetland’s energy transition to account
• To provide information and awareness on how the energy transition will impact Shetland
• To influence and inform the development of national (UK and Scotland) energy renewables policy, plans and strategies

An online consultation is now open until Wednesday 19th November, with paper copies of the survey also available at reception from the Council’s offices at 8 North Ness in Lerwick.

There will also be a drop-in event at Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick on Monday 17th November from 3pm-7pm.

The implementation of the strategy will be coordinated by the Empowering Shetland group consisting of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lerwick Port Authority, The University of the Highlands and Islands, Shetland Islands Council and industry representatives.  Its vision is that by 2045, Shetland will have:

• A Just Transition – we have a fair and managed energy transition, with no one left behind
• Whole Energy System – we have an efficient, integrated energy system where impacts on the environment are minimised
• A Fair Share – Shetland has a fair share of the value of energy production, distribution and its use

Douglas Irvine, Executive Manager for Future Energy with Shetland Islands Council, says:

“How we achieve this transition involves people at home, at work and in the community.  This strategy shows how important a Shetland approach is to our energy transition and how we plan now and for the years ahead.

“Shetland’s energy transition continues to be a changing picture. We held a six-week consultation on the draft strategy last year and we’re keen for people to provide their views again on this revised document.”

You can access the consultation at: Shetland Energy Strategy online consultation