Shetland: perfectly positioned to support the energy transition

“While Shetland is the northernmost region in Scotland, it is far from being at the edge. It sits right in the heart of Scotland’s energy industry.” That was the message shared by a group of Shetland energy industry experts while attending the national All Energy Conference in Glasgow.

The islands’ location where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, combined with decades of industry experience, means Shetland is perfectly placed to support the energy transition. Combined with burgeoning partnerships between public authorities, local enterprises and developers, this indicates the scale of ambitious projects on the horizon.

Captain Calum Grains, Chief Executive of Lerwick Port Authority was also among the Shetland delegation, and welcomed the chance to reinforce the experience and expertise that sets Shetland apart.

“The All Energy event was a great opportunity to establish new and grow existing relationships with developers and suppliers involved in the energy sector. Lerwick Port Authority has decades of experience in supporting the energy industry and more recently the renewables sector.

“A combined Shetland exhibitor presence at All Energy, which included several developers, re-enforces Shetland's position at the centre of the energy transition."

That kind of partnership working is at the heart of Shetland’s approach to emerging clean energy opportunities. Public authorities are working closely with developers including ESB, Ocean Winds, and Mainstream Renewable Power, all of which are preparing to develop offshore wind farms in the NE1 site to the east of Shetland. Floating turbines here could generate around 3GW of energy, and usher in a new era of energy-related investment and employment in Shetland.

Discover more about Shetland's exceptional energy industry expertise.