Burradale men join Anderson in two more wind ventures

Two new windfarms have been proposed by the families behind the successful Burradale turbines.

The Wards and Thomsons plan to reinvest some of their proceeds in two projects, one to the north of Lerwick and the other to the south of Quarff.

The Burradale owners have formed a new company, Evra Energy Ltd, together with the Anderson family, who have major farming interests.

Evra Energy hopes to offer communities the chance to buy into the projects, should the SIC grant planning consent.
The company also hopes to make payouts to local community groups and organisations under community benefit schemes.

Evra Energy is in the very early stages of seeking planning permission to erect up to six turbines, each with a capacity of up to 3.4MW, at the Hill of Tagdale overlooking Dales Voe.

Meanwhile up to five turbines of a similar size are planned on the south-west facing slope of the Sheens of Breitoe between Quarff and Fladdabister. The Sheens of Breitoe proposal was originally mooted six years ago but has been substantially revised.

Evra director Angus Ward said: “We’ve made a success of Burradale – and we’d like to repeat it. Burradale has provided clean electricity for Shetland, work for local companies and income for our economy. And, as far as we are aware, not one bird has been killed since the turbines were put up, and the blades have been turning for 470,000 hours.

“We feel strongly that Shetland should be making the most of its outstanding wind resource and are ready to put something back in. Burradale typically produces twice as much electricity as equivalent-sized windfarms in England. We also think folk in the community should have the chance to invest and get a return.”

Mr Ward said the company was fully committed to engaging with the community throughout the planning process and directors would attend meetings of community councils and other bodies to explain the proposals and listen to any concerns.

Evra has started specialist surveys at both sites, including birds and other wildlife, land use, visual amenity, traffic, cultural heritage and archaeology.

The views of statutory bodies have also been gathered to inform a scoping opinion, which is due to be published by the SIC today.

Director Brian Anderson said: “We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with the Wards and the Thomsons on these exciting new projects.”

Stephen Laurenson of L&M Engineering said: “We’ve been working on the Burradale turbines for two years and would be very to pleased to become involved in the Evra projects should they be built.”