Ground investigation work is set to start later this month on the Viking Energy onshore windfarm site in the Shetland Islands.
The Viking windfarm is a joint venture between the Shetland community and the utility company SSE and will consist of 103 turbines set around the central mainland of Shetland.
According to the latest update from Viking Energy, a team of up to 50 workers from specialist contractor BAM Ritchies is due to start work in the next few weeks and will be on site for approximately three months
The ground investigation work will involve drilling, trial pits and environmental monitoring.
Around 90 bore holes will be drilled with rigs towed by specialist vehicles with rubber track, which will help protect the peat land environment.
The update adds that a team of environmental and archaeological inspectors will also be onsite during the works to monitor activities and minimise any environmental impact.
“The results will provide valuable information to help with the detailed final design of access tracks and turbine bases for the 103-turbine windfarm, which could go into construction later this year,” the update adds.
“To minimise ground disturbance, a helicopter will be used each day to transport equipment and personnel to and from working positions in the windfarm site, avoiding the need for frequent traversing of the hillsides by tracked vehicles.”