EnergyCloud launches new project on Shetland Islands

EnergyCloud launches new project on Shetland Islands

August, 2026

EnergyCloud Scotland has launched a new partnership with Hjaltland Housing Association on the Shetland Islands, beginning an ambitious programme that aims to enable local families to benefit from surplus renewable electricity that would otherwise go unused.

The first homes are now being connected as part of the initial phase of the project. This pilot is intended to demonstrate how EnergyCloud can support local households and create a pathway towards extending the initiative across Hjaltland Housing Association’s 900 households.

The partnership is particularly significant in Shetland, where households experience some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the United Kingdom despite living in one of Europe’s most important renewable energy regions.

The project represents an important first step towards ensuring that communities helping to generate Scotland’s renewable electricity can also share more directly in its benefits.

EnergyCloud creates EnergyCloud Moments, periods when there is more renewable electricity available than the electricity system can use. Rather than allowing this clean electricity to be curtailed or go unused, EnergyCloud works with partners across the energy system to transform renewable energy surplus into social value.

Every year, significant volumes of renewable electricity generated across Great Britain cannot be used because the electricity system is not always able to match supply with demand. At the same time, millions of households continue to struggle with the cost of energy.

EnergyCloud brings these two challenges together, creating a practical way to make better use of surplus renewable electricity while supporting households experiencing fuel poverty.

The new project is being delivered in partnership with Hjaltland Housing Association, Shetland’s only Registered Social Landlord. The Association will work with its tenants and EnergyCloud Scotland during the initial pilot, with the shared ambition of growing the programme over time to support up to 900 households across the islands.

Bryan Leask, Chief Executive of Hjaltland Housing Association, said:

“For too long, Shetland has represented a contradiction. We generate enormous amounts of renewable electricity, yet many local households experience some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the UK.

This partnership with EnergyCloud is about changing that story. As the first homes begin joining the project, we are taking an important step towards ensuring more of the clean energy generated here delivers benefits for the people and communities who live here.

We are proud to be launching a project that has the potential to demonstrate how the energy transition can be fairer, more local and more inclusive.”

EnergyCloud Scotland, said:

“EnergyCloud is founded on a simple principle: no renewable energy should go to waste while people struggle to afford the energy they need. The launch of this Shetland project is an important milestone. It demonstrates that renewable energy surplus is not simply a problem to be managed, but an opportunity to create social value.”

“The EnergyCloud ambition is that this partnership will grow to support up to 900 households across Shetland, ensuring more of the renewable energy generated here delivers lasting benefits for local communities. Scotland has some of the world’s greatest renewable energy resources. Through EnergyCloud, we can help ensure more of that clean energy benefits people, communities and the wider electricity system.”

EnergyCloud works with electricity system operators, renewable generators, network companies, housing providers, local authorities and community organisations to unlock the social value of surplus renewable electricity.

EnergyCloud operates through independent organisations and teams in England, Germany, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.