SHEPD submits new proposal to ‘meet Shetland’s dual energy needs’
Ryan NicolsonScottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) has submitted a third application to Ofgem for a subsea cable as it bids to take control of Shetland’s energy needs.
The new proposal comes on the back of Ofgem provisionally approving the long-awaited 600MW transmission link from Shetland to the mainland last month and the SIC choosing not to object to Viking Energy’s proposed wind turbine height increase in February.
Ofgem’s approval of the subsea cable hinges on Viking Energy securing a Contract for Difference (CfD) for its proposed windfarm during the next auction round which begins in May.
Currently Shetland relies on on-island resources, mainly the Lerwick Power Station, to provide all its energy demands.
SHEPD has been working on different proposals across the last decade in a bid to connect Shetland to the mainland’s energy supply, however, as the power station edges nearer to its expected closure.
Initially set to wind down in 2020, the decision was made to keep the station open until 2025 following Ofgem’s rejection of SHEPD’s plan for a 60MW subsea cable in 2017.
This new proposal involves a “whole system” solution which SHEPD says will offer the potential to meet Shetland’s dual needs of securing a future supply of energy as well as providing the opportunity to export the energy provided by the proposed Viking Energy windfarm.
• For full story see The Shetland Times on Friday.
James J Paton
Scottish Government and huge ekdvtficity conglomerates controlling energy supply and pricing. Go local, get your own solar panels, ground source heat pumps, tidal generator and windsmills.
If Charitable trust funded every house to have its own energy supply, as above, the savings to the Shetland economy would outweigh the unethical income from Viking Energy and SSE, where your furure electricity price profits will.largely go to SSE’s huge corporate shareholders. Think about it.
Christopher Johnston
You assume that SCT would operate in the citizen’s interest rather than that of SIC and Viking Energy. Do not hold your breath waiting for that to happen. The train has already left the station.