Scotland finalized consent for a 370-MW(!) wind farm on Shetland, the government announced today. The wind farm is projected to power up to 175,000 homes and generate £30 million a year for the island community, and will be Scotland’s third-largest wind farm.
“The wind farm will allow the construction of an interconnector allowing Shetland to export electricity to the mainland, opening up further opportunities for the Islands to benefit from renewables, including community schemes and marine renewables,” the Scottish Government also noted.
“Viking wind farm is expected to bring an estimated £566 million of capital expenditure, and an annual income of £30 million per year to the Islands including £20 million to the Shetland Charitable Trust which will support projects such as community enterprises, community energy, skills and training, as well as around 140 jobs during the five years of construction and around 34 operational jobs.”
This project also marks the 50th renewable energy project that Scottish ministers have consented to since May 2007.
You might recall that Scotland aims to have 100% of its electricity coming from renewable energy by 2020, an outstanding target. I have seen no signs that it would miss that target, and many that it easily hit it.
Source: The Scottish Government
Image: Scottish flag blowing in wind illustration courtesy shutterstock
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