Reasons to Say 'No' to Shetland's Draft Energy Strategy

Shetland Islands Council (SIC) has written a Draft Energy Strategy, and I am very glad that it was pressured to hold a consultation event by concerned members of the public. The event is Monday 17 November at the Islesburgh Community Centre, 3 to 7 pm. It is important to attend the event because Council officials and local Councillors need to hear our views, and it needs to be from as many people as possible! There is nothing like face to face conversations to get our feelings across.

Many people feel there is no point in attending consultation events. I understand this viewpoint, especially as all evidence in Shetland suggests that no one listens, and that the people of Shetland have had no voice in the development of the Viking Energy Wind Farm. But if we don't speak up, we have no comeback. What is the point of remaining silent?

If you cannot make it in person, you can also complete the form here. It closes on 19 November 2025. In any case, we should all complete the survey even if we attend the event.

We have to be very careful in answering the questions. In this excellent letter, A mechanism for manufacturing consent: problems at the heart of the energy strategy consultation (Shetland News, 14/11/2025), Adrian Brockless, Frank Hay (Sustainable Shetland) and Ernie Raemaker (SOS) explain why.

The survey is designed to "produce a veneer of public support". The 'agree/disagree' questions are framed in such a way that any sensible person would accept the values proposed in its vision: fairness, affordable energy and a “Shetland approach.”

Unfortunately, there is no way to separate your agreement in principle with the values from your confidence in the SIC to put them into practice. So, if you tick “agree”, you are recorded as supporting the strategy as a whole, even if you strongly disagree with how the SIC proposes to deliver it.

It seems I will have to disagree with the key points and the vision points despite the fact they are reasonable; and I will write in the space for further explanation that I agree with the points but I don't believe SIC will implement the Energy Strategy in accordance with these values, based on their current track record and the way the Draft Strategy has been put together.

Conflict of interest is a fundamental issue that undermines my confidence in the way the SIC has prepared the Draft Energy Strategy and how they will implement it. Brockless, Hay and Raemaker identify the fact that the Draft Energy Strategy is "developer-aligned voices" which "interpret and guide" this draft energy policy. It is significant that there "...is no equivalent formal forum for residents who are sceptical of large-scale development or concerned about environmental and community impacts." They rightly call out this imbalance as "structural conflict of interest" rather than partnership.

I will definitely be attending the consultation event. I want to tell SIC officials and Councillors that I have serious doubts regarding the strategy. I will ask them questions about some of the key points, thoughts which I outline below. I will also point out that it is not written from a balanced perspective and let them know that while I cannot help but agree with their 'vision', I have absolutely no confidence in their ability to fairly implement its three points: a " just energy transition", a '"whole energy system", and "a fair share for Shetland". I may write about the last point here in future, because I despair that many argue for a 'fair share for Shetland' as merely a financial benefit and don't consider the health and well being of the people of Shetland as part of what we deserve.

I am a bit nervous of course. I worry about forgetting everything I want to say, or getting angry and tongue-tied. I'll be taking some notes with me just in case. I wonder if it will make the folk who are supposed to listen to us take what I say more seriously if I arrive with notes? Will it show I care so much that I have prepared in advance? I hope so, and if that is case, then I suggest everyone shows up armed with lists and notes!

My Doubts about Key Points

"To put people at the forefront of energy transition In Shetland" Does the SIC really believe in putting the people of Shetland at the forefront of energy transition? To date it certainly feels like people are put at the bottom of the heap with regards to energy developments in Shetland. Wind turbines are too close to people's homes. People have already moved house to escape from the infrasound and noise generated by the Viking Energy Wind Farm. Sally Huband is one of those, and she writes very movingly about the injury she has endured from infrasound, which she describes as subaudible noise pollution, caused by the Viking Energy Wind Farm. It is not just the VE Wind Farm that is too close to people's homes. The wind farm consented at Mossy Hill is also too close to homes, yet in 2019 SIC councillors demonstrated they didn't care about that proximity as reported by Shetland News here.

"To act as a blueprint for developers, funders and decision makers"

I despair at the thought of other places following the model Shetland has adopted and aspires to follow. Our local Council welcomes new developments blindly and without question. It is a far cry from the vision and care the SIC exercised in the 1970s when the Sullom Oil Terminal was proposed. Our Councillors outright refused, until finally they engaged in negotiations and got a an undoubtedly good financial deal for the people of Shetland. But they also negotiated conditions that showed their care for the community and the environment. What is there to be proud of today in Shetland with regard to our recent track record in dealing with SSE and private developers? To date there are 26 industrial developments and affiliated infrastructure either in existence or pending. Six times more than what is currently visible, with much more undoubtedly on the horizon. It is a horrendous situation, so why would any other local authority or small community wish to follow our path?

"To hold key partners in Shetland’s energy transition to account" and "To provide information and awareness on how the energy transition will impact Shetland"

The SIC and public agencies are not holding developers to account! VE is allowed to behave in the most cavalier way. It seems that only when untoward events are revealed on social media does any accountability kick in.  Ever since construction for the Viking Energy Wind Farm began, there have been incidents that the responsible agencies, including SIC, have not addressed, or, rather, have waited for the public outcry on social media, from contamination to broken blades and landslides, before taking note. The role of the public has been significant in drawing attention to issues that Viking Energy has had to publicly acknowledge, as with the landslide in 2024.

"To influence and inform the development of national (UK and Scotland) energy renewables policy, plans and strategies" Who would want SIC to be involved in developing policy, plans and strategies for the renewable energy industry in the face of the horrific situation the SIC has arguably promoted? To date, there is no evidence of imagination or vision in the exploration of more sustainable and community-friendly energy options or questions about negative impacts on local ecosystems and wildlife.

• We must critically assess the implications of Shetland's Draft Energy Strategy and advocate for approaches that prioritise environmental integrity and community well-being.

• We must demand transparency and clarity about decision-making processes and data used in the strategy.

• We must require the SIC to re-write the Draft Energy Strategy.

Image: digital drawing from my ongoing project Landscape in Pain; this drawing is based on a photo by Donald Donaldson for SSEN