News / Lerwick marts ‘delighted’ by £140k funding boost for new heating project
THE LERWICK marts is set to receive almost £140,000 to boost its energy efficiency and to invest in new equipment.
Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG) has been awarded £139,031 to go towards a new heating and turbine installation project.
The money will also be used to go towards new equipment at the community-owned abattoir and mart.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is behind the award, which will help SLMG to improve its energy efficiency at the Lerwick business.
Installing two turbines is expected to save SLMG – which relies heavily on electricity to maintain health and hygiene standards – 48,000 kWh of electricity a year.
A new heating system will also be installed, involving five infrared heaters, which will provide a more efficient and targeted heating system for the sale ring.
Modern equipment, such as an in-line weighing system and an upgraded holding area, will improve working conditions and manual handling for staff and will reduce hire costs.
SLMG also recently invested in technology to establish an online auction with support from HIE, which has increased the pool of remote buyers and resulted in an improvement of auction prices.
Katrina Wiseman, area manager for HIE in Orkney and Shetland, said the agency was “very pleased to support SLMG in their transition to renewable energy”.
“This investment will enhance the organisation’s resilience and support their carbon reduction goals,” she added.
SLMG chairman Cecil Eunson said the group was “delighted” by the grant, which he said would “futureproof” the abbatoir and marts.
“The local mart allows producers to sell on their doorstep, reducing costs and their carbon footprint,” Eunson said.
“It is also a valuable hub that brings the farming community together, quite literally on sale days, in what can be otherwise a quite isolated profession.
“Additionally, as smaller abattoirs are struggling financially everywhere, we also need to ensure that we can remain viable here in Shetland, especially as we are hundreds of miles away from the next nearest abattoir.
“We are delighted to be able to reduce our environmental costs as well as ensuring we remain financially viable.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
