Graduate helping to shape Shetland's renewable energy sector

Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd (SAL) has been at the forefront of renewable energy in Shetland since 1992. Based in Lerwick, the company owns and operates the Burradale and Luggie’s Knowe wind farms and has built a strong reputation as a developer and operator of onshore wind.

As the energy landscape evolves, so too does SAL. With major renewable opportunities emerging across Shetland, the company has expanded its Development and Operations & Maintenance teams, enhancing their capability to service the islands’ clean energy industry. 

With help from a graduate placement programme from HIE, Shetland Aerogenerators has welcomed new talent to focus on projects from energy storage and grid services to education and community engagement.

We caught up with two of the graduates, Lauren and James, to hear more about their journeys, what they’ve learned, and why Shetland is a great place to kick-start a career in renewables.

Hear from Lauren

Firstly, don’t worry if you don’t have everything figured out straight away - there’s no single route into a career in renewables or engineering.  

When I left school, I had no real plan and very little knowledge about the renewables sector. It was through trying different things and saying yes to new opportunities that I eventually found a path that really clicked with me.  

I grew up in Lerwick and went to Anderson High School. After leaving at 16, I worked a variety of jobs before landing a role at the Shetland Gas Plant.  

Three years there working in the planning department gave me valuable hands-on experience and helped me decide to pursue further education. I went on to complete an HNC in Computing at Perth College, followed by an Honours degree in Business Information Technology at Edinburgh Napier University.  

After graduating, I joined the Viking Energy Wind Farm project. Then in 2022 I joined Shetland Aerogenerators as a graduate project officer in the development team. And over time I stepped into my current role as project manager, helping to manage the planning and delivery of our onshore wind and energy storage projects. 

That includes everything from identifying potential sites and carrying out environmental impact assessments, right through to planning submissions, construction, and eventually getting projects up and running.  

A good example for me was when we secured planning permission for our Luggies Knowe Phase 2 project. That was the result of a lot of hard work, and it felt great to see it all come together.  

My role involves preparing reports and appraisals for both new opportunities and ongoing work, and I’m involved in managing risks.  

One area of the job I particularly enjoy is community engagement. It’s incredibly rewarding to gather feedback and ensure our projects reflect local needs - it has highlighted the importance of building strong relationships alongside building renewable infrastructure.  

Ultimately of course the most rewarding part is seeing a project come to life - from a concept to something that’s actually making a difference.  

A standout moment for me at Shetland Aerogenerators was winning the Personal Improvement Award at the Scottish Renewables Young Professionals Green Energy Awards in 2024. Just being nominated was a surprise, so actually winning it was a really proud moment.  

So, if you’re a young woman thinking about a career in renewables or engineering, it’s okay to take time, explore different roles, and learn as you go. You don’t have to rush into university or a career choice before you’re ready.  

In Shetland, we’re in a unique position to see renewable energy in action. Make the most of that - ask questions, get involved if you can, and speak to people already working in the field. A bit of curiosity can take you a long way.  

Want to read more?..

Hear from the other graduate placement working with Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd

Read James' blog