Annual Report 2024/25 - Delivery Plan Implementation and Next Steps

EmPowering Shetland

Three figures in a line, one in green, one in purple and one in orange. There is a white arrow, outlined blue, curving from bottom left to top right, pointing upwards.

EmPowering Shetland is bringing partners together to ensure that major economic developments – particularly in energy and net zero transition – deliver tangible benefits for Shetland’s people and communities.  Over the past year, the initiative has moved from strategy into action, with progress including:

  • Establishing the Fair Share for Shetland framework, setting out expectations for community wealth building, shared ownership, and fair value from energy developments.
  • Early engagement with developers, promoting community benefit, supply chain opportunities, and strong environmental protections.
  • Creating a Shetland-led offshore wind monitoring group, giving the islands a stronger role in environmental leadership.
  • Strengthening collaboration across sectors through working groups, helping to align energy transition with housing, skills, transport, and wider community priorities.
  • Engagement with industry on workforce accommodation solutions, and key worker accommodation study.
  • Continuing to align with national and local strategies, including the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Strategy, Shetland Energy Strategy, and Local Child Poverty Action Plan.

Next steps will focus on embedding the framework into practice with developers and communities, expanding case studies of community wealth building, and ensuring that future investment in Shetland reflects the principle of inclusive growth:  prosperity shared fairly across all communities.