Also in the news / Festive snow forecast, gas field interest, foodbank donation, broadband speeds and more…
SHETLAND could be set for a white Christmas, according to some weather forecasts.
Gulberwick Weather says Christmas Day is likely to be cold with some bright spells and snow showers.
These may be heavy at times with fresh north-easterly winds.
You can also check out the latest forecasts on the Shetland News weather page.
KISTOS, a company which produces “low carbon intensity energy”, has confirmed it is interested in buying some of TotalEnergies’ gas assets west of Shetland.
It comes after reports in October that TotalEnergies was looking to sell a third of its stake in the Laggan-Tormore gas fields.
Gas extracted from the fields is taken by pipeline to the plant near Sullom Voe Terminal.
THE VIKING Energy wind farm and the HVDC interconnector project have donated £2,000 between them to the Shetland Foodbank.
Representatives for the projects said it was important to highlight the work of the foodbank at this time of the year.
Shetland Foodbank’s Davie Grieve said the donations would go towards buying items and running costs.
SHETLAND’s varied experience with broadband speeds is nothing new – but a fresh report has highlighted it once again.
Ofcom’s new Connected Nations 2021 report for Scotland shows that only 71 per cent of Shetland premises have speeds greater than 30 Mbit/s. Orkney is last on the list with 64 per cent.
Local authorities like Edinburgh and Glasgow sit at 98 per cent.
Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston said the report shows Scottish Government ministers have “taken their eye off the ball” when it comes to their R100 programme to bring superfast broadband to all.
AS SCOTLAND faces what is described as “one of its most challenging winters”, health secretary Humza Yousaf has praised the “continued courage, commitment and professionalism” of health, social care and social work staff.
“Every single person working in health, social care and social work has continued to provide exemplary care in the most trying of circumstances, saving lives and protecting our NHS at a high cost both personally and professionally,” he said.
“You continue to be extraordinary in your response to unprecedented demands, delivering services in what can often be new and often unfamiliar ways. I have heard directly from some of you about the impact that working in pandemic conditions has had.
“And I want to sincerely thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, during this difficult time.”
A TOTAL of £3 million is being made available for communities in rural and island areas of Scotland to develop greener energy during the next financial year.
The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) aims to empower communities which operate independent electricity systems.
The scheme has been active since 2013.
Net zero and energy secretary Michael Matheson said: “Our journey to becoming a net zero nation will be truly transformative, and the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring we deliver this transformation in a way that is fair and just for everyone.”
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