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A “robust” strategy should be developed to protect tourism from the impact major energy projects could have on Shetland.
Chairwoman of Shetland Tourism Association Amanda Hawick says steps against “further degredation” of the natural environment must be taken after “growing concerns” were voiced by its members.
Ms Hawick said she understood the “imperative” to reach net zero, but described proposed projects as “intrusive infrastructure” which would “permanently alter the character of places that draw people to Shetland”.
She was speaking after a recent consultation exercise staged by SSEN in Voe into its proposed Kergord 2 substation and associated works.
Currently over a dozen big projects are being proposed, including substations, ammonia plants, subseas cables and onshore windfarms, as well as an overhead connection network that could use lattice-style pylons almost 40 metres high.
“Tourism is a vital part of our island economies,” she said. “It brings together investment and activity from the private, public, and third sectors to deliver high‑quality visitor experiences that benefit not only those who come to explore our islands, but also the communities who live and work here year‑round.
“The long‑term success of tourism depends on the careful stewardship of our infrastructure, services, and cultural and natural assets. That is why we believe stakeholders must work together to find creative, sustainable solutions that support essential – but non‑statutory – services such as tourism development, infrastructure maintenance, and visitor management, while protecting our landscapes.”
She added: “We understand the imperative to reach net zero, and well‑designed projects can deliver clear benefits for communities and visitors. However, we cannot accept further degradation of our natural environment through intrusive infrastructure that would permanently alter the character of places that draw people to Shetland.”
She said Shetland’s “largely untouched” landscapes were a “primary reason” visitors came to Shetland and “fall in love with the islands”.
“Shetland’s geology and landscapes are recognised through our designation as a Geopark within the European and Global Geopark Networks, supported by Unesco, and this status underlines the importance of careful, evidence‑based planning.”
She added: “Many tourism businesses are still recovering from the pandemic and face additional pressures such as high travel costs and ferry capacity constraints during peak season. These challenges make it even more important that development decisions consider the cumulative effects on local communities and the visitor economy.
“We call for Shetland’s voice to be central to decisions that affect our islands. We urge the development of a robust, sustainable tourism strategy that safeguards our environment, supports resilient local economies, and secures the wellbeing of future generations. This is a shared responsibility of us all.”
Her comments come after it emerged a motion would go before councillors next Wednesday, calling for SSEN to carry out a “comprehensive cumulative impact assessment” into the projects the firm is progressing in Shetland.
Members of the Voe Community Development Association will, by that time, have staged a strategy meeting in Voe to discuss SSEN’s proposals for Kergord 2.
The association, which will meet in Voe on Tuesday night, is calling for a full community impact assessment in the North Mainland before Kergord 2 is approved.
The demands will be laid out in a petition which chairman Martin Naylor says will leave SSEN in “no doubt” of the strength of feeling in the area.
It will also call for the protection of Shetland’s Geopark status, as well as its tourism sector.
“They need feedback and we’re going to provide them with that feedback with a letter and a petition enclosed, which will leave them in no doubt of the community’s position,” Mr Naylor told The Shetland Times.
“We’re looking for the Kergord 2 substation to be hidden and sensitively sited. We need to know exactly where and how they’re going to do that. We’ll be asking them to protect tourism and the visitor experience to Shetland.”
He said the community impact assessment would provide a full picture of what households around Voe could face. The petition will be made available in local shops around Voe and the North Mainland.
SSEN says the project could play a crucial role in integrating Shetland’s renewable energy sources into the wider electricity network.
It also says its preferred option is for overhead lines. But Mr Naylor insists the company must look at running the cables underground instead.
He said attendance at the last consultation “clearly demonstrated the huge concerns that the community has regarding these proposals”.
“We’re charged with making a strong representation to SSEN on behalf of the community,” he said.
“Attendance was very high, which demonstrates people value consultation. We’re forming a strategy to make sure we are represented properly.”
He urged people in the community to provide individual feedback to the plans, even if they have signed the petition.
Scottish election candidates Emma Macdonald (Liberal Democrats) and Hannah Mary Goodlad have also voiced their concerns.
