Heather Donald, SSE Renewables’ Onshore Renewables Development and Construction Director, and Neil Gray, Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

• Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy marks the significant milestone with visit to wind farm site
• More than 70 local companies have benefited from the SSE Renewables project

Viking Wind Farm has spent more than £70 million so far since work on the project commenced in 2020. The spend with local suppliers benefits not only Shetland, but also the wider Scottish and UK supply chain, while creating or supporting approximately 400 jobs during the ongoing construction of the SSE Renewables’ flagship onshore wind project.

Since the commencement of the project, more than 70 companies in Shetland have benefitted from their involvement in Viking.

Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, visited the project on Thursday, to hear about SSE Renewables’ significant contribution in Shetland and to see construction progress.

The Cabinet Secretary met with workers onsite and was guided through the ongoing work by Heather Donald, SSE Renewables’ Onshore Renewables Development and Construction Director and Gerard Hammill, Civil and Construction Interface Manager for SSE Renewables.

Neil Gray, Wellbeing Economy Secretary, commented:
"The Viking wind farm project demonstrates not just the fantastic potential that Shetland’s natural resources and skilled workforces have to capitalise on a fair and just energy transition - but that this potential is already becoming a reality.

The construction of this project is already providing tangible benefits for the local workforce, supply chain and wider economy. I was pleased to visit the site and find out more about how the completion of this project will not only support our climate targets, but unlock further benefits for Shetland and its community."

Once complete in 2024, the 443MW wind farm 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 towards achieving Scotland’s net zero targets.

KeyFacts Energy: SSE Renewables UK country profile