|
Energy
Topic Goal
To promote the sustainable and efficient use of energy
resources to maximise social, environmental and economic benefit within
Shetland.
Oil
7.1 The oil industry has had an enormous impact on
Shetland over the last 30 years since the opening up of the Brent and Ninian
oil fields. Apart from its importance in providing jobs, the Sullom Voe Oil
Terminal (SVT) also makes a significant contribution to the electricity
distribution supply network. In recent years however, throughput of oil and gas
at the terminal has fallen and fluctuating oil prices have delayed plans to
exploit oil fields west of Shetland.
|
Policy ENG SP1
The Council will encourage the
continued operation of Sullom Voe Oil Terminal and the retention of oil related
employment by safeguarding the existing designated areas for the expansion of
the terminal and oil related developments. |
Electricity Supply
7.2 The local electricity grid is supplied by Scottish
Hydroelectric (SHE) from the oil fired Gremista Power Station and from excess
energy produced by gas turbines at the Sullom Voe Terminal. SHE is currently
looking at future energy supply arrangements for Shetland and is assessing
different options, including a sub sea grid connection to the Scottish
mainland. The Council favours the laying of sub-sea cables which would enable
concurrent laying of a fibre optic cable link to the mainland. A cable link
would reduce pollution in the islands and lessen Shetland's reliance on
imported fuel. However, the decision on Shetland's supply arrangements rests
with SHE and will be developed in the Company's Energy Strategy, which the
Council will consider against its Development Plan policies.
|
Policy ENG SP2
Development Proposals set out in the
Scottish Hydro-electric Energy Strategy will be considered favourably where
they comply with the environmental and other provisions of the Structure and
Local Plan. |
Renewable Energy
7.3 Shetland relies on oil and waste gas for 93% of its
energy production. This overwhelming reliance on imported fossil fuel is not
sustainable in the longer term. Shetland's energy production fails to take
advantage of the islands' abundant renewable energy sources such as wind, wave
and tidal power. Scottish Hydro-Electric is obliged by law to obtain a certain
amount of electricity from renewable sources. However, the electricity
distribution system (local grid) for Shetland is a closed system with limited
capacity and cannot cope with large amounts of renewable energy, which tends to
produce a variable supply requiring back up power from the Lerwick generator.
By 1999, the Council had only received three planning applications for
commercial wind farm developments with none as yet under construction.
Nevertheless, there are examples of successful domestic wind generators and the
islands of Fair Isle and Foula have had their own wind generated electricity
supply schemes for several years.
|
Policy ENG SP3
Proposals for the generation of power
from renewable energy sources will be encouraged and favourably considered
subject to other relevant policies in the Structure and Local Plans.
|
Shetland Energy Plan
7.4 In 1995 the Shetland Energy Unit was established
within the Council to identify, develop and implement practical and cost
effective energy conservation measures. The Unit published the Shetland Energy
Plan in 1998, which set out to encourage a more strategic and co-ordinated
approach to energy management in Shetland. The objectives in the plan were
broadly to reduce reliance on oil, maximise the use of local resources -
including renewable technologies - and promote energy efficiency and
sustainability. The mechanisms for achieving the Plan's objectives are
summarised in an action plan which draws together existing strategies such as
the Home Energy Conservation Act Report and promotes initiatives including the
Lerwick District Heating Scheme.
|
Policy ENG SP4
Energy related developments which take
into account the objectives and strategies set out in the Shetland Energy Plan
and comply with environmental and other provisions of the Structure and Local
Plan will be considered favourably. |
Energy Efficiency
7.5 The layout, construction and design of new buildings can
significantly affect their energy efficiency. Encouraging new development to
adopt measures to reduce energy consumption will benefit individuals, through
reduced energy bills, and the wider community by reducing pollution associated
with energy production. In addition, the location of housing in relation to
infrastructure and services such as schools, shops and public transport can
lower energy consumption by reducing reliance on private cars. The Structure
Plan Strategy seeks to reduce energy consumption by encouraging development in
established settlements, thereby minimising transport use.
|
Policy ENG SP5
Proposals which seek to minimise
energy consumption by means of location, layout, design, construction and
alternative technology will be considered favourably where the proposal does
not conflict with other Structure and Local Plan policies. |
The Knab, Lerwick. Renewable energy in Shetland is a large
and relatively untapped resource. (Photograph: Dennis Coutts)
Partners
|
Nuclear Free Local Authorities (Scotland) |
Shetland Energy Forum |
|
SIC Resources Committee |
Shetland Heatwise |
|
Environment Forum |
Shetland Aerogenerators |
|
Sullom Voe Terminal |
Fair Isle/Foula Committees |
|
Shetland Enterprise |
Shetland Heat Energy and Power (District Heating
Company) |
|
Scottish Hydro-Electric |
Atlantic Energy Ltd. |
Strategies
|
Scottish Hydroelectric Strategy |
Home Energy Conservation Act Report |
|
Shetland Energy Plan |
Shetland Local Transport Strategy |
Plan Performance Indicators
- Number of homes connected to the District heating
scheme.
- Number of homes adopting the heat pump as an energy
source.
- Number of referrals to energy unit from planning/building
control.
- Take up rates for energy grants from energy unit.
- Number of applications for renewable energy projects approved
/refused over the plan period.
- Energy efficency ratings for new houses.
|
