UK: Shetland Good to Go with Wave Energy

The partners behind plans for Shetland’s first wave power scheme will tell island representatives this week that it is set to ramp up public consultation and environmental research off the south west mainland ahead of a planning application in 2015.

The work planned for the Aegir scheme in 2013 will be outlined by European energy company Vattenfall and Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Power at a meeting between the firms, the Shetland Islands Council and the Shetland Charitable Trust. They will also meet to review progress one year after they agreed a ground breaking partnership to consider development of ocean energy projects around the Islands.

The meeting is expected to discuss the lessons learnt from the early-stage planning and investigations for the first pilot wave farm project off the Shetland Island’s coastline.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Alastair Cooper, Chair of Development at Shetland Islands Council, explained: “Although it is still at an early stage, we can see that the experience from the first pilot project will inform our strategy in respect of marine renewables, to maximise the economic and social benefits of Shetland’s sizeable ocean energy potential for the whole Shetland Islands community.”

 Shetland Charitable Trust chair Drew Ratter, said: “I remain keen that Shetland benefits from all the research and development benefits which offshore renewables development can bring. Once we have an interconnector to the national grid, it will be critical that offshore development in Shetland waters is well advanced.”

 Vattenfall’s Jörgen Josefsson, also a board member of Aegir, said: “We are very pleased with the progress of investigations into the Aegir project to date, not least by local organisations like NAFC. Now we can look forward to next year’s work, when the planning will broaden out to consider implications for the environment, other sea users and local public opinions.”

Acting Area Manager Rachel Hunter of Highlands and Islands Enterprise added: “As the proposed design of the Aegir pilot farm is defined, based on the results of the investigations, there can be a greater level of dialogue with Shetland islanders and specific stakeholder groups using this real tangible example project. During 2013 we expect to help the Aegir team with this consultation, so that we can maximise learning and benefits.”

The group will hear about the work planned for 2013, which will include increased environmental surveys and impact assessment, alongside navigation risk assessment and fishing impact assessments. Vattenfall, Pelamis and the Shetland Island Council will also focus attention on evaluating the likely vessel and maintenance activities that would be performed from Shetland, therefore the local job and economic benefits.

Aegir is a joint venture between Vattenfall’s Ocean Energy Programme and Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Power to develop a wave farm off the Shetland Islands.

[mappress]

Press release, November 06, 2012; Image: pelemis