Shetland Aerogenerators has become the first company to sign a new charter designed to ensure renewable energy projects deliver lasting benefits for communities across the islands.
The Shetland Development Charter was approved by Shetland Islands Council councillors in July and sets out expectations for investors and developers operating in the area.
Shetland Aerogenerators has signed up to the charter ahead of its proposed Neshion Energy Park project, which has recently entered the consent process.
Under the agreement, the company has committed to addressing fuel poverty and developing a local electricity discount scheme for residents living near the proposed energy park.
It will also seek to ensure at least 5% community ownership of the project until final investment decisions are reached.
The company has pledged to maximise opportunities for Shetland businesses and the local supply chain as the project progresses.
The charter also identifies priorities including a just transition, environmental protection, community benefits, housing, and fiscal and regulatory changes.
Developers signing up to the charter are expected to produce a delivery plan setting out the specific local benefits that will be provided by each project.
The charter is led by EmPowering Shetland and brings together partners including Shetland Islands Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lerwick Port Authority and the Shetland Net Zero Energy Forum.
Shetland Aerogenerators said its approach to development had already reflected many of the principles contained in the charter.
The company was part of the A Fair Share for Shetland taskforce in 2024, which explored how communities could benefit from renewable energy developments while reducing and compensating for disruption.
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Brendan Hall, development manager at Shetland Aerogenerators, said: "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."
Katrina Wiseman, chair of EmPowering Shetland, said: "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."
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