Being the first signatory, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering clean, sustainable energy, along with improved energy security and local employment opportunities. In our planned projects and signing the charter, we are committing to:
- Direct measures to address fuel poverty – including a Local Electricity Discount Scheme for nearby residents of the recently announced Neshion Energy Park
- A community ownership offer of at least 5% in Neshion Energy Park, which will be available until final investment decisions are reached
- Approaches to maximise the use of the local businesses and local supply chain to retain as much value in Shetland as possible
The charter is an important step to help ensure greater transparency in how new developments deliver benefits for communities.
The charter was approved by Shetland Islands Councillors in July. Its main aims are:
- To ensure Shetland’s move to renewable energy is fair for everyone
- To ensure the local community is heard and local needs are considered
- There is joined-up thinking when it comes to developments - to avoid duplication of infrastructure and to protect our environment
- Projects deliver clean, secure and affordable energy
- Projects deliver a legacy for Shetland residents and local industry
The charter is being led by EmPowering Shetland. Its members include Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lerwick Port Authority, the Shetland Net Zero Energy Forum and the Norn Engineering Alliance. The nine priority areas in the charter are:
- A Just Transition
- Ownership
- Environmental Protection
- Our Economy
- A Fair Share for Shetland
- Community Benefit
- Local Supply Chain Integration and Community Wealth Building
- Housing
- Fiscal and Regulatory Changes
Developers also agree to create a delivery plan setting out the specific local benefits to be delivered by projects. The charter does not replace existing planning and consenting processes.
Shetland Aerogenerators Development Manager, Brendan Hall says: “We are very pleased to be the first signatory for the Shetland Development Charter because we’ve been living these principles since long before this document. We were part of the A Fair Share for Shetland taskforce in 2024, and helped codify the many ways our community can gain all the advantages of these projects, while minimising and compensating for the unavoidable disturbance. We think this development charter is helpful for these new times.
“The alignment of our ambitions with the charter is exemplified by our proposed Neshion Energy Park project, which recently went into the consent process. In line with feedback from the local community, we are planning Shetland’s first Local Electricity Discount Scheme to directly reduce electricity bills and address fuel poverty at an individual household level, while also exploring options for a community stake in the development. We look forward to working with EmPowering Shetland to develop the delivery plan for Neshion.”
Chair of EmPowering Shetland, Katrina Wiseman says: “This is an important first step for the Shetland Development Charter as we continue to work with developers to sign up to it. These commitments from Shetland Aerogenerators will bring real benefits to Shetland and opportunities to work closely with local industries and the local supply chain. The charter is about trust, transparency and working collaboratively.”
Shetland Islands Council Leader Emma Macdonald says: “I welcome Shetland Aerogenerators as the first signatory of the Shetland Development Charter. Shetland’s energy transition must be about working with people in Shetland and they should not be feeling that developments are being done to them. This charter sets out clear expectations of developers and I hope this is the first of many that sign up to the charter – helping our communities, developing our economy and protecting our environment.”