News / A powerhouse in the making
SHETLAND is poised on the brink of a revolution in generating renewable energy from the sea, which could bring enormous economic benefits to the community.
Resources in wave and tidal energy around Shetland’s coast will become a major asset in the islands’ future, a private meeting heard on Thursday afternoon
Shetland Islands Council’s general industry panel also heard that the isles are still heavily dependent on fuel oil, and that this must be tackled to provide energy security for islanders.
Members of the panel heard a presentation from Ross Gazey, of Unst-based PURE Energy, which has completed the first comprehensive energy usage study for Shetland.
This provided a detailed insight into how the islands use energy, particularly the fuel oils on which Shetland’s industries and homes are still heavily reliant.
Dr Ross Halliday, of consultants Natural Power, presented what has already been described as a “hugely significant” piece of work that builds on the existing Shetland Marine Spatial Plan, mapping out wave and tidal resources around Shetland.
The marine energy map provoked “significant interest” at a UK marine energy conference held in London last week, according to Shetland Charitable Trust general manager Ann Black and SIC leader Josie Simpson who attended.
Thursday’s meeting was also attended by senior members of the Pelamis/Vattenfall ‘Aegir’ project team to give an update on the 10MW wave farm they hope to develop off Shetland’s west coast.
Lucy Parsons, representing Orkney Islands Council, provided an insight into the progress being made at the European Marine Energy Centre, in Orkney.
Shetland will start promoting its marine renewable resources at the All Energy Event on 18/19 May in Aberdeen. This will be the first time a team from Shetland has attended the event.
Mr Simpson said: “Today’s presentations demonstrate that our industries and communities consume a lot of energy, but that we have a huge opportunity in front of us to make Shetland a renewables powerhouse, not just for our own needs, but meeting those of the rest of the UK.
“However, to accomplish that we need an interconnector cable to the Scottish mainland. That is essential to turn our enormous potential into a profitable reality.”
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