Community / Relief as SSE reverses decision to name turbine after Lottie Robertson
SSE RENEWABLES has finally decided not to name one of 103 Viking wind turbines after Charlotte Robertson, who lived in the Halfway House near Sand Water.
The change of heart comes after yet another outcry in the community, accusing the multinational’s intentions as an insult and “disrespectful to her memory”.
Lottie, as she was known locally, found herself in the centre of the controversy over the wind farm and was deeply affected by the construction work.
She never participated actively in the debate over the pro and cons of the wind farm but donated regularly to Sustainable Shetland to help finance the campaign group’s legal battle against the project.
In an open letter on Monday, Whiteness resident Ernie Ramaker called on SSE to reverse its decision.
SSE had invited local schoolchildren to name a number of the Viking turbines, with Lottie one of the suggestions put forward. The Viking team picked which names were to be used.
Ramaker wrote: “Choosing not to name a turbine after Lottie costs you nothing, but doing so might just cost you the last bit of goodwill you have left with the Shetland community.”
In the open letter, he also included a short video in which she speaks about the impact the wind farm development has had on her life.
Following a request by Shetland News to respond to the open letter, SSE Renewables confirmed that they will refrain from naming one of the turbines after Lottie Robertson.
A spokesperson said it was never the company’s intention to cause offence.
“We’ve listened to local voices and have taken the decision not to name a turbine after the late Charlotte Robertson,” a statement issued to Shetland News said.
“While her name was chosen with the best of intention as part of an educational programme with local schools, we recognise that many people feel this showed insensitivity on our part.
“This was never our intention and we’re sincerely sorry for any offence caused.”
SSE had said just last week it had no plans to change the Lottie turbine name, following uproar when the name was first revealed.
Ramaker said he was “relieved” by the news that SSE had chosen to back down, but added it was “a shame that it took them so long”.
“They will have to do their best to restore the goodwill they lost with this, and it will take time.
“I harbour no ill will towards the pupils who came up with this name perhaps not knowing the full story, but it shouldn’t have taken the publication of that video of Lottie to get SSE to backtrack on their plan.”
Shetland News visited her back in April 2012 when she spoke about her distress and helplessness with regards to the wind farm development.
She died in October 2021 aged 92.
