Rapid growth in offshore wind, subsea cables and hydrogen projects around Shetland is creating deep concern among local fishermen, who warn they may become “accidental casualties” of the UK’s energy transition.
The new technical report from the Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) and Voar Energy shows that vast areas of productive fishing grounds could be squeezed by overlapping industrial plans in the coming decade.
Expanding Wind Farms and New Cables
Two floating offshore wind farms – Arven and Stoura – are set to dominate waters east of Shetland with a combined capacity of 2.8 GW, equivalent to 56 times Shetland’s peak electricity demand.
Their lease areas cover 558 km², or 38% of Shetland’s land area. Fishermen fear exclusion zones around turbines and cable corridors will reduce access to key grounds used by demersal and pelagic vessels.
The report highlights widespread anxiety about a “patchwork” of areas that have been closed during construction and operation. With the planned Second Shetland HVDC Link, more seabed cables will be installed between Shetland and mainland Scotland by the mid-2030s, creating further constraints if routes overlap with established trawling areas.
Cultural and Economic Risks
Fishing remains central to Shetland’s economy and local identity. Still, crews warn that growing industrial pressures could undermine recruitment and long-term viability.
Many interviewees feared that younger generations may see no future in fishing if productive grounds continue to shrink. One view repeated throughout the study is that wind technician jobs cannot replace the independence and identity tied to skippering a local boat.
Community leaders stress that developers are almost entirely based outside Shetland. Without strong safeguards, the economic value of sea space could shift away from local families toward external corporations. This, they argue, would run counter to the idea of a “just transition.”
Call for Fairness, Balance and Local Benefits
The report does not oppose clean energy but calls for far stronger protections for fishing activity. It emphasises the need for careful spatial planning, transparent consultation, fair compensation, and the retention of local economic value, such as basing operations and vessel contracts within Shetland.
The authors note that while major projects could bring investment, fishermen currently feel they have little say in developments that may reshape their livelihoods for decades.
With most proposals still at the planning stage, the coming years will determine whether Shetland can balance energy ambitions with protecting one of its oldest industries.