Building a world-leading clean energy island

Shetland

Shetland
Shetland

ORION is a bold, ambitious project that aims to transform Shetland into the home of secure and affordable clean energy.

We will fuel a cleaner future and protect the environment by harnessing the islands' renewables potential, using onshore and offshore wind, tidal and wave energy.

arrow-down
Shetland
Map
Click on coloured areas to discover more about different sectors of the ORION project.
Shetland Electrification and Hydrogen Hub
  • Oxygen
  • Gas
  • CO2
  • Green Power

Generating affordable and secure clean heat and power will be ORION's primary focus.

Securing a prosperous future by providing afforable clean energy, creating and securing high quality jobs.

Why Shetland?

Shetland has five decades of energy industry experience, existing infrastructure, and strong supply chains - ideal for supporting the development of emerging technologies including green hydrogen.

Innovation

Innovation

Secure Shetland's position as a clean technology leader and protect the natural environment

Clean power

Clean power

Harness offshore wind to produce green hydrogen - producing 10-12% of estimated UK hydrogen demand by 2050

Affordable energy

Affordable energy

Help eradicate fuel poverty in Shetland by 2035 - deliver affordable, clean energy for UK and Europe

Skilled workforce

Skilled workforce

Create potentially 500 new skilled jobs, boosting the economy while helping reduce carbon emissions

Energy transition

Energy transition

Use renewables to electrify oil and gas installations to help the sector transition to net zero

Securing a prosperous future by providing afforable clean energy, creating and securing high quality jobs.

ORION's aims

Objectives

  • Produce local wind-powered green hydrogen in Shetland by 2025
  • Reduce emissions and set an ambition to become net zero by 2030
  • Create and sustain potentially 500 net zero jobs by 2030
  • Create a buoyant, diverse economy for Shetland by 2035

Community benefits

ORION will help Shetland become self-sufficient in producing renewable energy, while protecting the environment and developing an exciting new industry.

Clean, affordable energy produced in the isles will be used for land and sea transport, to warm homes and to enable growth in existing and developing sectors.

Opportunities

Industry benefits

Shetland has been at the heart of the UK's energy industry for almost 50 years and is ready to play a crucial role in the transition to net zero.

This will bring widespread benefits to Shetland by diversifying the economy and securing high-quality jobs for decades to come.

News and events

Latest from news and events

28 Nov 2023, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Virtual
Net Zero Transitions Webinar
arrow-leftarrow-leftFind out more
September 20th, 2023
Lerwick Port Authority Signs MOU with ESB
arrow-leftarrow-leftFind out more
4-5 Oct 2023
P&J Live, Aberdeen
Floating Offshore Wind 2023
arrow-leftarrow-leftFind out more

Providing clean affordable sustainable energy for our future

In partnership with:
  • Shetland Islands Council logo
  • Lerwick Port Authority logo
  • Highlands and Islands Enterprise logo
  • Net Zero Technology Centre logo
  • University of Strathclyde Glasgow logo
Guidance and Collaboration:
  • BP logo
  • EnQuest logo
  • Equinor logo
  • Ithaca Energy logo
  • SSE logo
  • Total Energies logo