The UK’s most productive onshore wind farm and 260km subsea transmission link have been completed in Shetland.

The construction of SSE Renewables’ Viking Wind Farm and the energisation of SSEN Transmission’s 260km (160 mile) subsea link to transport electricity between Shetland and the mainland follow a £1bn investment by businesses within the SSE Group. They are part of a £20.5bn commitment the Perth-headquartered business is making to clean energy infrastructure in the UK to 2027.

Shetland is the windiest region of the UK, according to the Met Office, with an average annual wind speed of 14.6 knots. As a result, Viking is expected to be the UK’s most productive onshore wind farm in terms of annual electricity output. Viking’s 103 Vestas turbines will generate 443MW of installed wind-powered capacity and be capable of generating around 1.8TWh of renewable electricity annually.

The development of the wind farm has taken nearly 20 years from initial concept to completion, with planning permission granted by the Scottish Government in 2012. Construction of the wind farm began in the autumn of 2020 with the last of over 100 turbines being installed at the site in August 2023.

Completion of the Viking onshore wind farm also takes the UK’s combined onshore and offshore wind capacity to more than 30GW.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband commented: “This will be a crucial part of delivering our mission for clean power by 2030 – reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, boosting our energy independence and protecting consumers.”

The projects supported around 650 jobs during peak construction and contributed £125m to the local Shetland economy. Continuing operations of the Viking Wind Farm will also support 35 permanent roles, and it’s estimated Viking’s community fund will contribute more than £70m to the local Shetland economy over the lifetime of the wind farm.

---