Also in the news / Viking’s concrete milestone, coastguard helicopter visit and more…
A MAJOR milestone is said to have been reached in the Viking Energy wind farm construction.
The pouring of concrete on the final wind turbine base was completed on Saturday (12 November).
The concrete pour process started in September 2021 and since then over 70,246m³ of concrete has been poured across 103 of the foundations.
Concrete was produced from two batching plants that were created on site due to the high volumes required.
Each concrete pour on average took 11 hours to complete, with over 30 people involved in each concrete pour from start to finish.
SSE Renewables’ head of onshore projects Derek Hastings said: “We’re now looking forward to the next stage of the project which will see Vestas turbines being delivered on site in early 2023 ahead of installation.
“Viking Energy Wind Farm is on course to go into renewable energy production in 2024 and is expected to be the most productive onshore wind farm in the UK when complete.”
A COASTGUARD helicopter from Inverness took a trip to Sumburgh on Sunday afternoon to assist with a patient transfer.
The coastguard was asked to help after the air ambulance was unable to land in Shetland due to the fog.
The visiting helicopter Rescue 151 unloaded a medivac team, refuelled and departed for the mainland again, with the Sumburgh based helicopter later leaving for Aberdeen.
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart has highlighted the opening of a new fund which will provide grants to local groups to pass on as cash or vouchers directly to people in need.
The Household Hardship Fund is administered by the Corra Foundation on behalf of the National Lottery Community Fund, and it will open on 22 November.
The fund is open to charities, community groups and registered social enterprises with an annual income under £100,000 that are already supporting people on low incomes.
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Applicants will have to demonstrate how they will distribute cash or vouchers directly to local families and individuals in need. This may be through projects such as children’s groups, lunch clubs, youth groups or food banks.
Wishart said: “With the cost-of-living crisis impacting families as the winter draws in, the Household Hardship Fund will enable local organisations to assist people in need.”
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