Letters / The real reason for the battery park
EnQuest’s latest plans for Sullom Voe Terminal, revealed this week, appear to confirm suspicions that one of the main reasons behind the plans for a battery park at Gremista is to ensure continuity of power supply to the terminal.
Sullom Voe Terminal to be connected to the grid by the end of next year
It wouldn’t take that long to fire up Lerwick power station in the event of interconnector problems, but this would not be good enough for the terminal.
We are therefore likely to have to accept a very controversial battery park near to a residential area as well as continued disruption for cable laying.
Since the terminal is to be powered from Gremista, will Lerwick power station have to be upgraded to cater for the possible increase in load?
It would be interesting to know how this is going to be financed.
Since EnQuest are insisting that the power lines from Gremista to the terminal are to be undergrounded then they should be paying for that and making a contribution towards the £100 million battery park.
In respect of undergrounding, SSE did not consider possible weather damage or bird strikes a sufficient reason to underground a substantial section of the Kergord Gremista line.
In terms of security of energy supply and value for money it would be preferable for EnQuest to retain the gas fired power station at the terminal, but they are so busy green washing they seem to be overlooking that possibility.
Frank Hay
Chairman
Sustainable Shetland
Weisdale
