Richard Lochhead MSP, the Scottish Minister for Just Transition and Fair Work, has been given a guided tour of SSE’s 443MW Viking Wind Farm in Shetland.
The minister was this week welcomed to the project by representatives from SSE and contractor RJ McLeod, the company carrying out construction of the 103 turbines.
SSE’s head of onshore projects, Derek Hastings, guided the minister around the ongoing works, which “continue apace”.
The first wind turning component is due to arrive at the Greenhead base in Lerwick in January 2023.
Lochhead said: “It was great to see how construction at the Viking Wind Farm is providing good, green jobs and, once operational, will deliver long-lasting socio-economic benefits to the local economy – including skills development, permanent jobs and community benefits – helping to ensure a fair and just transition to net zero for Shetland.”
Hastings added: “Once compete, Viking Wind Farm will be the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm as well as one of the most productive onshore wind farms in Europe, and will contribute to Shetland’s security of supply by underpinning the HVDC transmission link that will connect the islands to the mainland for the first time.
“The project has continued to support the island’s supply chain during delivery, creating around 400 jobs at peak construction with a further 35 full-time local operation and maintenance jobs throughout its life. We’re proud to show the Minister the work here and to show how we are contributing to Shetland’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.”