ESB and the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) Shetland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for collaboration and cooperation as part of the Stoura floating offshore wind farm project.
Stoura is one of two offshore wind farms proposed to the east of Shetland, which have secured rights from Crown Estate Scotland.
The MOU will focus on education, data sharing, research and long term environmental monitoring.
Both organisations say they are committed to working together to develop the skills required to deliver on the Scottish Government’s climate action targets.
The MOU was signed at the Stoura public engagement session in the auditorium of the Shetland Museum and Archives last month when members of the ESB team were available to all attendees to answer any questions about the project.
Stoura project director at the ESB Dr Cian Desmond said that “a central focus of this MOU will be seeking to replicate the enormous success of the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG) model in the context of a floating wind farm”.
“I hope that through collaborating with the leading experts at UHI Sheltand, we can effectively make Stoura a living laboratory which provides training opportunities and nurtures a local floating wind based knowledge economy,”he said.
UHI Shetland Principal and CEO ProfJane Lewis, said the university “looked forward to working with Stoura on education, teaching and training especially to develop skills to deliver on the Scottish Government’s climate action targets, as well as to support industry demand for the wind renewables sector”.
ESB and UHI Shetland recently had their first collaboration under the MOU with the delivery of a Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) recognised marine mammal observer (MMO) training course in Scalloway.
This programme aims to promote potential environmental employment avenues within the marine renewables sector, and contribute positively to species protection efforts as Scotland develops offshore renewable wind energy.
The programme has been officially recognised and endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
The availability of marine mammal observers in Shetland will help to ensure that the Stoura wind farm is developed in a manner which will minimise the disruption to marine life whilst also providing local employment opportunities, a statement from the two organisations said.
The training brought together 12 delegates including UHI Shetland staff, marine science graduates, and local community members providing them with key skills and awareness for marine mammal monitoring.
ESB says it will hold a follow-on public engagement session in 2025 to discuss the onshore aspects of the floating wind farm. Following the exhibition in September, all information will be made available online.
Shetland News reports a key concern within the local community on the impact offshore wind projects could potentially have on the fishing industry, with a particularly worry over boats being squeezed out of their grounds.
Dr Desmond told the newspaper that fisheries is a “huge” thing for the developer as engagement with the sector continues.
The Shetland Fishermen’s Association has pointed out that the north half of the Stoura site is “prime” whitefish and pelagic fishing grounds, and it has suggested locating the turbines in a different area.
ESB is developing several onshore and offshore renewable energy projects across Scotland as part of its Net Zero by 2040 Strategy.
