A Southmouther’s Opinion‏

A letter sent to Shetland News in reply to other recent letters.
Thank you Ms Houston for sharing it.

I write in reference to a number of recent letters regarding the windfarm proposal by Viking Energy and also those regarding the learning journey run by Viking Energy.

While not a Shetlander myself, my Father is and I still have family and friends in Shetland and very much care about Shetland and its community.  I am friends with a few of the winners of the competition to go on the learning journey to the mainland with Viking Energry.  I was saddened to read the quote in Ms Henderson’s letter (Reciprocity27/4/2010) from one of the winners, I am not in a position to question whether or not it was a true quote and I agree with her that if this has been said it is shocking that it was regarded by the winner in question as an all expenses paid piss up.  I however quite agree with Cavy Johnson (Fund your own jolly 29/4/2010) that as she is so concerned about this winner’s comments they should have been reported to Viking Energy so a place was not wasted and another youngster more willing to learn about wind farms (whether or not there was alcohol available) could have taken their place.  However Ms Henderson has not mentioned whether or not she reported this comment to Viking Energy or just chose to vent to The Shetland News about it without taking appropriate action and I am curious to know whether she reported it or not.  I have spoken to some of those who were on the learning journey and after a busy few days came home tired out but with a wealth of information on wind farms to pass on to those who were not fortunate enough to have the same opportunity.

Some people seem to be regarding the trip as a waste of public funds, the trip involved educating young people on the benefits and issues associated with wind farms, giving them an idea of the scale of the wind farm proposed by VE and a chance to speak to experts on the subject. I do not understand how giving out this information to allow young people to make an informed opinion and tell others about their experiences can be considered a waste of money.

I have done some research on wind farms and the concerns people have and personally, I feel that having wind farms in Shetland would be a huge benefit, as it is proving to be for Whitelee. Amongst a number of things, including bringing in huge revenue, it would also show how a relatively small community can embrace and use renewable energy instead of increasing levels of greenhouse gases by continuing to use fossil fuel.

Emma Houston
Glasgow

Unanswered questions

In reply to (this letter)
The learning journey was about seeing wind farms of similar scale and terrain to Shetlands proposed Wind farm.
We had a chance to express all our concerns and have them answered.

It may be of benefit to Viking Energy to educate people about cleaner futures but it is in my neighbours, friends and families best interest to do the same.

To say that Viking Energy is only doing this for money is a fair misconception. They obviously need to have a profitable business but the people behind it and in the thick of it working everyday on these sites do want to leave a clean planet for future generations.

Has anyone ever questioned whether oil companies are doing it for our benefit?

Kind regards
Andrew Goodlad

The other side of the story

An invitation from Sustainable Shetland to hear their side.
Read the letter here

Here is my reply, hopefully it will be on Shetland News tomorrow.

Reply to 6 May – The other side of the story
I am very grateful for your offer to meet and hear Sustainable Shetland’s side.
Unfortunately I will not be back up to Shetland until the summer, but I would really like to hear from you.
If you could possibly write me an email that explains your side then I would very much like to read it.

I know it wont give us the chance to have a conversation with me expressing my opinion as well, but at least there will be no time constraint and it will give you a chance to get all your points across.

I have read your website front to back and have built my opinion based on facts, what I have experienced, how it will effect others and how it will effect Shetlands future. If you can make further points that the Sustainable Shetland Website hasn’t already then please do.

I would like to express that the Viking Energy learning journey was extremely worth while.
If you have not seen a wind farm up close (which I would hope you have as it is best to experience both sides) I strongly recommend it. You will get a clear picture of how it affects the environment, peoples lives and the wildlife.

If the offer to meet is available in July I would like to meet.
Yours sincerely

Andrew Goodlad

|||| A quick update. I have had a very busy time of it and the much talked about “big update” is just about ready. It will be online on friday evening. ||||

Update just around the corner

I have been working on a full update, all the pictures and all the info about the whole visit.
After which I will keep this site up to date with progress on many wind farm projects and I am hoping to get out to more sites on my own.

The update should be up once I get home to my flat and my iMac.
I am also thinking of sending a letter about my experience to the Shetland Times. Guessing it will need to be in on tuesday, so might post it here to.

Look back tomorrow.

A damper on the visit

This is a letter sent into the Shetland News Website by a member of the public.

http://shetland-news.co.uk/2010/April/letters/Reciprocity.htm

Here is the reply I sent in:

I am one of the lucky few who won a place to experience the wind farms.
On the 1st day we visited Whitelee wind farm which involved a trip around the site, talks by some very knowledgeable individuals who are involved in the wind farm industry and we had a chance to see the turbines up close. After this we traveled to our hotel. We all checked in and before we went through for dinner we read the aforementioned letter. Now I know that some people are against Viking Energy’s proposal and will do a lot to discredit it, but what Mrs Henderson has done has insulted everyone who went on the learning journey. We didn’t have any doubt that this was a fictitious quote as everybody on the trip was 100% interested in experiencing what will hopefully come to Shetland. Not all of us were sure about the wind farm project, some concerns and some positive opinions, but now that we have all experienced it I myself can at least say that the projects we have seen are of great benefit to Scotland’s and the World’s future and also that this was not an all expenses paid piss up.

I am extremely interested in hearing who Mrs Henderson got this quote from and i’m pretty sure no one on the trip would object to her naming them.

I’m glad I saw this letter  (http://shetland-news.co.uk/2010/April/letters/It%20is%20no%20jolly.htm)
It was quite a busy schedule and a lot of information to digest. Over the next few days I will be updating this website http://www.asgardian.co.uk with more details of the visit and hpw I felt about it. So far there is just a few short posts with pictures and opinion.

Asgardian

Draw your own conclusion and keep coming back over the weekend as I will update more.

Ardrossan Windfarm

This morning we got up to visit Ardrossan Windfarm. Only 15 turbines compared to yesterdays 140. It gave a good idea of how Shetlands proposed windfarm will look like on the hills.

It was really worth the visit.
They community was really supportive of the farm and trips for the local schools have been a great way to help educate the children.

The children have also named the turbines. One called beans…. We didn’t get the wind joke for a little while.

On our way to another windfarm just now.

Have some photos.

Whitelee

So that’s the 1st part of the trip done we are now on the way back to the hotel.

I am truly and utterly convinced by windfarms.

The key reasons for objection are:
•Noise
•Sustaining Wildlife
•Peat eroding causing damage to the area.
•Windfarms being an eyesore

I can say from my experience of being upclose and fully informed what has happened and what is planned for whitelee that,

The nose is heard only when you are close. Even then you can hear the birds above it. A bus makes more noise.
The wildlife in the area has grown. Every step of the way they were focused on improving the area for wildlife.
The floating roads on the peat are very well constucted and will last the length of the windfarm.
Finally, whether you think they are ugly or not is purely your opinion. I personally think they are calming and certainly look more appealing than power stations.

If you ever have the chance.
If you have a windfarm project proposed near you get to whitelee. Even if you are for or against you should really experience them in the flesh. It might change your mind. It might justify a negative opinion. But it would be best to get some experience so you can let others know.

I will go in to some more detail later. There was alot to take on.

We are here

Finally here. It is amazing. They look great from a distance, but up close it’s jaw dropping. We will be getting upclose later on. More images to follow

The journey has begun

And so the journey begins. We are now making our way to whitelee windfarm 🙂 keep an eye out for updates all day today and tomorrow.

The weekend before.

So this coming week I am away to Whitelee windfarm, thats when this site and the other social networks I have placed links to will get far more interesting.

I hope that everyone that has been reading so far comes back from the 28th onwards to check out all the updates.

On day one when I launched the site there was quite alot of views and its remaining solid, so there is obviously an audience for this.
But anyway, I will have a few more updates before it all kicks off on the 28th.

Enjoy your weekends.