Despite heavy protests that the wind farm is 'too big', plans to erect a 103 turbine wind farm on moorland in Shetland have been approved.
The new wind farm once completed will be the 3rd largest of its kind in Scotland and will be run by Viking Energy, the partnership between the company and SSE (Scottish & Southern Energy) to support Shetland community and to represent their interests.
There were concerns from the outset by protesters that the development would be too large and would blot the beautiful landscape of the region. Others that supported the proposal argued that the new energy farm would provide hundreds of new jobs and help to raise money, estimated to generate £30m annually for the community. At the same time, renewable energy targets that need to be met, will be more achievable once the wind farm begins operation.
The 370MW project was approved by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing and is expected to power more than 175,000 homes.
Statement from Viking Energy:
