Shetland is expanding its offshore wind footprint with new sites, a Viking wind farm anchor, and a push into green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. This page breaks down what’s changing, who benefits locally, and how the trade-offs are shaping the economic and environmental future. Scroll for quick answers to the most common questions people search about Shetland’s energy transition.
New offshore wind sites are being developed southeast of Shetland, with upgrades to Lerwick harbour to support larger turbine maintenance and logistics. Veri Energy’s Sullom Voe facility is pivoting toward green hydrogen and synthetic fuels, adding an ambitious layer to the island’s energy transition. The Viking wind farm remains a central anchor, linking ongoing wind power to the UK grid as part of a broader shift from oil and gas to renewables.
The push emphasizes shared benefits for Shetland communities, including potential local investment funds, job opportunities in wind, hydrogen, and related services, and community engagement programs tied to the Viking wind farm’s ongoing operation. Plans focus on ensuring locals gain from the transition through local research partnerships, training, and revenue streams linked to new energy activities.
Expanding offshore energy can boost regional jobs, diversify the economy, and attract investment, while requiring careful management of site construction impacts, supply chain pressures, and long-term maintenance costs. Environmental considerations include marine habitat management, wind farm decommissioning plans, and the lifecycle emissions of green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. The aim is to balance growth with stewardship of the local environment.
Viking remains a key anchor in Shetland’s wind strategy, delivering power to the UK grid and serving as a model for integrating more offshore wind with green hydrogen and related technologies. Its continued operation helps stabilize local energy supply while underpinning broader investments in offshore wind capacity and research collaborations.
Lerwick harbour upgrades support the logistics of larger turbines, maintenance activities, and supply chain movements for offshore wind and hydrogen projects. The improvements are designed to improve resilience, reduce transport bottlenecks, and create local jobs tied to the ongoing energy transition.
Funding typically comes from a mix of developers, public programs, and community benefit schemes. The goal is to ensure local communities gain from the transition through funds, training, and opportunities for employment, with ongoing transparency about how benefits are allocated and used for local development.
“New onshore wind farms will create jobs, improve security of energy supply and help reduce consumer electricity bills in the long term”