Green energy projects: Researchers invite Shetlanders to share views

Researchers from the universities of Bath, Cardiff and Strathclyde will hold two workshops in Shetland on 27 and 28 March to gather local views on hydrogen and offshore energy; each session will include about 15 participants and offer a £60 honorarium.

Researchers from the universities of Bath, Cardiff and Strathclyde are returning to Shetland to continue work on how people view hydrogen and future offshore energy projects. The activity is part of the EPSRC-funded Ocean-REFuel project, which looks at using offshore wind and marine renewables to produce zero-carbon hydrogen and ammonia. The team will run two public workshops at the Islesburgh Community Centre on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March, each from 1pm to 5.30pm. Project co-ordinator Usman Siddiqi said the research centres on understanding Shetlanders' visions for their communities during the energy transition, including expectations around community benefits and local value creation. Key details: - The research is led by teams from the universities of Bath, Cardiff and Strathclyde. - It forms part of the EPSRC-funded Ocean-REFuel project focused on hydrogen and ammonia from offshore renewables. - Two workshops are scheduled at Islesburgh Community Centre on 27 and 28 March, 1pm–5.30pm. - Each workshop will have around 15 participants and an honorarium of £60 will be paid. - Organisers say no technical knowledge is required and they seek a wide range of perspectives. Summary: The workshops are intended to collect local views that can inform discussions about how the energy transition might deliver community benefits for Shetland and other hosting areas. Recruitment and the sessions themselves are the immediate next steps; further outcomes and follow-up actions are undetermined at this time.