Supreme Court Rejects Wind Farm Appeal

An appeal against plans to construct a 103-turbine wind farm development in Shetland has been rejected by the Supreme Court.

The project by Viking Energy has been hit with a series of delays ever since Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granted consent in 2012. The 370MW wind farm would power more than 175,000 homes, but Shetland only has a population of around 22,000. Those who are in support of the scheme said the project would create jobs and meet renewable energy targets, but those who oppose the plans have argued the scheme is too big and would have an adverse impact on the local landscape.


In 2014, judges ruled that there was no sufficient reason to stop the development from going ahead. In response, the organisation Sustainable Shetland look the case to the Supreme Court.

On Monday (9 February), the Supreme Court dismissed the group's appeal.

Alan Bryce, Chairman of Viking Energy, said: "We are delighted the Supreme Court has endorsed the planning consent for Viking wind farm, granted in April 2012.

"We can now concentrate on developing what would be one of the world's most productive wind farms, to generate renewable energy and significant income for the Shetland community.

"I would like to thank all who have supported us in reaching this positive outcome. Viking Energy looks forward to making progress during 2015."

Sustainable Shetland has said it was "very disappointed" by the decision, but it would not lessen its opposition to the scheme.

(JP/CD)