Campaign at all levels to ensure future developments recognise that energy affordability is already a key issue in Shetland, and ensure that progress on that issue is designed into all significant proposals and solutions.
The ‘Shetland Energy Development Principles’ are being promoted to existing and prospective energy developers, UK and Scottish Governments, their agencies, relevant regulators and others. We have also created two guides for Ministers and civil servants, It’s all Happening in Shetland and Shetland Forward, to help improve understanding and awareness of a number of key Shetland priorities, including energy affordability.
In September 2023, the Council agreed a Strategic Outline Programme for ‘Energising Shetland – Affordable Energy and a Shetland Tariff’. This identified a range of possible actions that could reduce energy prices in Shetland. These are being investigated further to determine where impacts could be greatest and delivery is feasible. High on the list is arrangements for electricity pricing regulation which is governed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.