First turbines installed at Viking Energy Wind Farm

The first turbine completed is located at South Midfield, west of Kergord, in the far southwest of the Viking site, and this was closely followed by the completion of a second turbine at Riven Hill, in North Nesting, near Laxo. A third turbine located near Scar Quilse in the North Nesting section of the Viking site will follow shortly. These are the first of 103 turbines to be fully erected at the wind farm in central Mainland Shetland, which will generate 443MW of wind-powered electricity once fully operational.

Installation of turbine components got underway in February with over 27 of the tower base sections (pre-installations) erected across site, in addition to the completed turbines. The completed tip height of the turbine is 155m, which includes the consented hub height of 96.5m and blades at 57m in length.

Turbine components are being delivered from Lerwick Port under convoy operation and is expected to continue until July. All turbines are programmed for full erection in 2023, with Viking expected to be fully operational by the autumn of 2024.

"The installation of the first turbines at Viking Wind Farm, is not only an exciting step forward in the project, but by reaching this milestone, it underlines our strategy to lead the transition to a net zero future through the world-class development, construction and operation of renewable power assets. Seeing the first turbines erected is a testament to everyone involved in the installation process. By the end of this year, we expect all of Viking’s turbines to be in place and once operational, in 2024, it will be capable of producing enough energy to power the equivalent of almost half a million homes including every home in Shetland, playing a crucial role in contributing towards the UK and Scotland’s net zero targets," said Heather Donald, SSE Renewables’ Onshore Renewables Development and Construction Director.

"Even with the severe winter weather that delayed our works, we are extremely happy that the overall programme has been kept on schedule and that the first full turbines are now successfully installed. This significant milestone has been achieved with the close collaboration with our partner SSE, RJM the Principal Contractor on the Viking Energy Wind Farm, and our subcontractors," said Robert Yeates, Lead Project Manager with Vestas.