Shetland Islands Council has approved a new Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) to promote greener homes, buildings, and businesses across the isles over the next five years.

The strategy aims to improve the quality of life for residents and address fuel poverty. Shetland Islands Council is legally required to create such a plan, and this is the first of its kind to be approved by the council. The development of the proposals involved collaboration with stakeholders such as Hjaltland Housing Association and Shetland Heat, Energy & Power Ltd.

The LHEES outlines five key priorities: alleviating fuel poverty, improving energy efficiency in homes, developing a supply chain for improvement work, decarbonising heating systems across Shetland, and addressing community and non-domestic buildings.

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A central goal of the strategy is to transition homes in Shetland away from fossil fuel-based heating systems to achieve Net Zero by 2045. The plan notes that around 4,000 properties in Shetland use boilers, primarily oil-fired, and over 5,300 homes rely on storage heaters.

The strategy focuses on increasing the installation of heat pumps and more efficient electrical heating systems in Shetland. It also includes a review of district heating options outside of Lerwick, such as the Brae Rural Energy Hub project.

The LHEES acknowledges the unique challenges faced by Shetland, including higher costs for materials and labour in home improvement projects, and a shortage of accredited insulation installers for UK and Scottish Government schemes.

John Simpson, Team Leader with the Council's Energy Efficiency team, commented on the strategy: "We know there are challenges when it comes to heating and decarbonisation in Shetland. A big part of this work will also be looking at how we can decarbonise the Council's varied estate. This strategy is a way of drawing together the work we've been doing and looking ahead to the future."