Viking Energy Wind Farm (VEWF) welcomes today’s decision by Ofgem to approve the 600MW HVDC transmission link connecting Shetland to the GB mainland.
Viking is the anchor project commercially underpinning the transmission connection, which will play a critical role in Shetland’s security of supply needs as well as giving scope for future renewable development.
In June 2020, project owner SSE Renewables took a final investment decision to proceed with Viking in a £580m investment step which will drive forward a green economic recovery in Shetland.
Approval is conditional on Ofgem being satisfied, by the end of 2020, that Viking is likely to go ahead. SSE Renewables is engaging with Ofgem to provide satisfactory evidence as set out in the needs case consultation.
Viking will be a 103-turbine, 443MW onshore wind farm that will harness Shetland’s excellent wind conditions to produce enough energy to power almost half a million homes. When complete, it will be the UK’s largest onshore wind farm in terms of annual electricity output, playing a crucial role in contributing towards the UK and Scotland’s net zero targets.
The project will support the Shetland, Scottish and wider UK supply chains during delivery, creating around 400 jobs at peak construction with a further 35 full-time local operation and maintenance jobs throughout its life. Construction is planned to scale up in the coming weeks, providing an immediate boost to the green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and supporting the UK and Scotland’s commitments to net zero emissions by 2050 and 2045 respectively.