Voe Community Opposes New Pylons and Substation Plans

Residents in Voe have expressed strong opposition to the proposed installation of new pylons and a substation in their community. During a recent information event, organized by the newly formed Voe Community Development Association, locals gathered to voice their concerns regarding the impact of infrastructure projects on their village.

Councillors have been candid about their limited ability to influence the scale and pace of energy developments in the Shetland Islands. With SSEN Transmission tasked with implementing infrastructure to support large offshore wind farms, officials have acknowledged their focus is primarily on mitigating local disruptions while hoping some projects may not proceed.

As community members filled the meeting hall on Thursday, resident Julia Odie remarked, “Yes, it is late in the day, but some of us have been arguing this for years.” Many felt their way of life was being threatened, particularly following the recent unexpected closure of a road by SSEN Distribution, which left residents and officials alike uninformed. Sheena Cook, another local, emphasized the lack of communication: “We have been kept in the dark about a lot of things, and people are suddenly realizing what is going to happen here.”

The information event had originally been scheduled for early October but was postponed due to poor weather. This delay allowed the community to mobilize and gather more residents to express their concerns. “They are compartmentalizing all the information, so that one pocket of people doesn’t know, but now we are putting the information out and telling everybody,” Cook added.

Concerns extend beyond the immediate vicinity of Voe. Local resident John Goddard pointed out that the proposed developments would disrupt daily life for many: “Sullom Voe was built in one place, but this is spread out, it is everywhere and will inconvenience everybody at some time and for a long time.” He suggested that information sessions should occur in all northern mainland halls, offering comprehensive details for the entire area.

The situation in Voe reflects a broader trend across the Highland and Islands, where rural communities are grappling with disruptions from energy transition projects. Earlier in the week, Andrea Manson, the Shetland Islands Council convener and councillor for the Shetland North ward, stated that the council should not simply acquiesce to the demands of energy developers.

At the session, Alan Kelly, SSEN Transmission’s lead project manager, acknowledged the misleading nature of the proposed substation’s name, Kergord 2, stating its actual location would be south of Setter, off the B9071 road to Aith. He explained that two lines of 28-metre high pylons would connect the existing Kergord substation to the new site, while a more contentious proposal involves a line of 38-metre high pylons potentially running through the village to link to a new Northern Substation Hub.

Kelly assured residents that if enough objections are raised regarding the proposed pylons, SSEN Transmission would present this feedback to the regulator, Ofgem, to advocate for the possibility of burying some of the lines. “The project need has been confirmed,” he stated, adding, “We have an obligation to deliver something that is economic and efficient.”

The feedback period for the Shetland AC connection project, concerning the pylons, is open until January 8, 2026. Members of the community are encouraged to submit their opinions directly to SSEN Transmission via email at [email protected] or through their website.

As the community continues to rally against the proposed developments, local leaders emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to assess the overall impact of multiple projects. Councillor Andrew Hall argued for a unified impact assessment rather than separate evaluations for each project, asserting, “You need to look at the various projects all together.”

The voices of Voe residents reflect a growing awareness of energy development’s potential consequences, underscoring the need for transparency and community engagement in the planning process.