SSEN Plans to Revive Empty Homes for Workforce Housing in Shetland

SSEN Transmission is considering a strategy to bring long-term empty homes in Shetland back into use as part of its workforce accommodation plans. This initiative aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts in Orkney, where it is refurbishing empty properties to support the housing needs of its staff. With significant projects on the horizon, including a potential second subsea HVDC link to the Scottish mainland, the energy company is keen to explore all viable options for housing its workforce.

Long-term Solutions for Housing Needs

As part of its accommodation strategy, SSEN has previously announced intentions to construct new homes in northern Scotland to house workers involved in various projects. Following completion, these homes may be handed over to local authorities. A spokesperson for SSEN Transmission stated that refurbishing empty homes will be a key component of this housing solution. They expressed commitment to working with Shetland Islands Council and local housing stakeholders to create sustainable accommodation solutions.

“We are exploring all viable options as part of our accommodation mix, and this includes bringing empty homes in Shetland back into long-term use,” the spokesperson confirmed.

The spokesperson also highlighted the company’s pledge to support the delivery of over 1,000 new homes for local communities in northern Scotland, thereby establishing a positive legacy while meeting the accommodation needs of its workforce.

Addressing Housing Pressures

Concerns surrounding the impact of visiting workforces on Shetland’s existing housing and rental market have been raised previously. Developers have been urged to seek innovative solutions to address these challenges. In Orkney, SSEN’s current project involves providing financial assistance to revive long-term empty homes, allowing them to offer reduced rental rates for management staff. So far, two properties have been successfully restored, with additional homes planned for refurbishment.

In Orkney, SSEN is targeting homes that have been vacant for at least six months and require no more than £25,000 in upfront investment to make them rentable. The company will fund the necessary renovations, recouping the costs over time through reduced rent until summer 2028.

Alongside these initiatives, SSEN is also establishing a temporary accommodation camp in Orkney for workers engaged in the construction of a new substation in Finstown.

Statistics from the Scottish Government indicate that as of September 2024, Shetland had an empty homes rate of 409 per 10,000 dwellings, with long-term vacancies (homes empty for over a year) at 375 per 10,000. These figures point to some of the highest rates of empty homes in Scotland, prompting local authorities to act.

During a meeting in May, it was announced that the Shetland Islands Council plans to hire a full-time officer, supported by government resources, to tackle the issue of long-term empty homes. Additionally, a graduate officer and external consultants are developing an empty homes strategy. Nonetheless, council leader Emma Macdonald expressed concerns about the pace of SSEN’s accommodation plans, stating that they were “not happening quick enough.”

Development director Neil Grant echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for more urgent progress in addressing housing needs in the region.