The Shetland Islands are hosting the next meeting of Net Zero Islands Network
In partnership with Shetland Islands Council, Nordic Energy Research and the Scottish Government invite interested to participate in the next meeting of the Net Zero Islands Network
In partnership with Shetland Islands Council, Nordic Energy Research and the Scottish Government invite interested to join the next meeting of the Net Zero Islands Network.
The event takes place in Lerwick, Shetland on May 16-17 – Check out the preliminary program below.
The purpose of the event is to facilitate exchange of knowledge between Scottish and Nordic experts on the challenges and ambitions that Scottish and Nordic regions share in harnessing the low carbon energy potential of islands. The event and the Net Zero Islands Network also seek to create opportunities for longer-term co-operation, with a view to accelerating decarbonization and raising awareness of the islands’ possible role as innovation hubs.
The program of the event will feature a combination of keynote speeches, panel discussions and site visits. The participants will be introduced to the Scottish Government’s work to establish at least six fully carbon neutral islands by 2040 and learn about Shetland’s clean energy transition – including its ambitious plans to combine onshore and offshore wind, tidal and wave energy to generate electricity and power hydrogen production.
To establish a truly two-way discussion and exchange of knowledge, there will also be an opportunity for Nordic speakers to talk about the work they are carrying out in their home communities.
Check out the preliminary program below. We will share more information with you as soon as speakers and site visits are confirmed.
If you consider attending the next meeting of Net Zero Islands Network, please contact:
- Senior Adviser Anders Geertsen, anders.geertsen@nordicenergy.org or
- Junior Consultant, Ditte Stiler, ditte.stiler@nordicenergy.org
Please note that each participant is responsible for their own transport and hotel reservations.
Program
Day 1
9:00 – 10:30 Nordic Energy Research network’s internal meeting
10:30 – 11:00 Session 1 – Setting the Scene
- Francesco Bertoldi, Scottish Government, Head of Nordic and Arctic Unit
- Anders Geertsen, Nordic Energy Research, Senior Adviser
- Francesco Sindico, Scottish Government Islands Team – Carbon Neutral Islands Project Lead
11:00 – 12:30 Session 2 – An overview of the energy transition in Shetland.
Chair: John Smith, Shetland Island Council
- Claire Ferguson, Shetland Council
- Gunther Newcombe OBE FEI, ORION Energy Hub Project Coordinator and Douglas Irvine, Shetland Islands Council
- Alice Mathewson, North Yell Development Council
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Session 3 – An overview of the energy transition in the Nordic region (speakers to be confirmed)
15:30 – 17:30 Site visits (possibly Shetland Heart Energy and Power, Viking Energy site or Kergord Interconnector site).
18:00 – 20:00 Official dinner
Day 2
9:00 – 10:15 Session 4 – Offshore wind, hydrogen and decarbonizing the remaining oil and gas infrastructure – panel discussion.
- Chair: Francesco Sindico, Scottish Government
- Gunther Newcombe OBE FEI, ORION Energy Hub Project Coordinator or Douglas Irvine, Shetland Islands Council
- Speaker (Nordic Region) – to be confirmed.
10:15 – 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:45 Session 5 – The Energy Transition on the Outer Islands: Resilience and Off Grid.
- Magnus Holborn, Foula
- Fair Isle
- Speaker (Nordic Region)
11:45 – 12:15 – Conclusions and next steps
12:15 – 13:15 Lunch
13:15 – onwards – Site visits (possibly Sullom Voe Terminal or North Yell Community Development Council including Garth Community Wind Farm and Nova tidal array).
