About Viking Energy
A unique local initiative
The proposed Viking Windfarm is a unique project built upon the very substantial business opportunity that Shetland’s world-class wind resource can provide. The project concept and details of how a renewable energy industry might be developed in Shetland were initially presented to Shetland Islands Council in September 2003. The Council at that time decided to apply staff and financial resources as and when required to support the proposal for the Shetland community to become a developer itself (with partners or alone) and advance a community owned, community controlled development to maximise community benefit. The ultimate planning authority for such projects is the Scottish Executive and it is likely that Shetland, like any other area of Scotland, will be expected to contribute towards meeting national energy targets. The overall aim of the project started very much as being about community empowerment and Shetland having a direct influence on its own destiny rather than leaving it in outside hands. The concept at that stage became Viking Energy Ltd.
What was merely a concept a short time ago is well on the way to providing a significant financial opportunity for Shetland. The project is a key pillar in Shetland Islands Council’s plans to develop renewable energy sector in Shetland and obtain a national electricity grid connection.
Since the earliest days it was envisaged that a strategic partner, with specific expertise in the renewable energy sector, would be required to help the project move forward and lend to it the credibility necessary for a project of this magnitude. Just prior to the time that the Viking Energy Ltd concept was raised, Scottish and Southern Energy plc announced proposals for their own large-scale windfarm in Shetland. Recognising that the two projects were potentially complementary, discussions were held with a view towards potential partnerships.
In July 2006 Viking Energy Ltd and SSE Generation Ltd (a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy plc) signed a Memorandum of Understanding strengthening both sides by committing to work to join the separate projects into a single venture. Commenting on the signing, Shetland Islands Council's Economic Development Spokesman, Councillor Drew Ratter said "Viking Energy will be the name of the 600 MW joint venture, with the Shetland community owning half of it and Scottish and Southern Energy owning half of it... We are absolutely convinced that this joint venture with a major successful utility and the community is the best possible chance to achieve [the project]"