LETTER: We don’t need devolved control over energy developments we need a halt to new windfarms now
By Contributor
Published: 10:00, 06 September 2026
Leslie Sinclair says there is no need for more wind turbines in Shetland.
According to Shetland’s MSP, devolving control of energy policy to Holyrood will somehow give Shetland greater control over energy developments.
How this might happen has not been made clear.
For example, will it resemble the devolved control of health, education, transport, justice and policing, fire service, agriculture and fisheries, and planning, to name just a few?
It would be interesting to see how many people believe devolution of the above services has benefitted Shetland; or anywhere else in Scotland for that matter; since devolved control of all the above examples has resulted in greater centralisation in Holyrood.
The assumption that bringing control to a local level is somehow always a good thing does not stand up to rigorous, independent examination.
Electricity generation, transmission and distribution is complex, both technically and economically, and it is highly unlikely that trying to find some undefined solution that will put Shetland in control of energy developments can ever be found.
It’s also highly unlikely that the sop of “community ownership” will ever prove to be of long term benefit to communities who are bought off by it.
The UK needs to develop rigorous, sustainable and resilient energy and electricity strategies and policies, and wasting time on pointless discussion on the finer details of what elected representatives believe communities need will do nothing to progress that.
There is surely no need for wind turbines/windfarms on or offshore Shetland.
Leslie Sinclair
Broad Street
Kirkwall
