It is being hosted by Shetland Islands Council and energy and engineering consultants COWI, which has been appointed to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

The study is fully funded by the UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. It is looking to see if a heating network is viable and if it can provide lower heating bills and a more environmentally friendly way to heat homes, businesses and community buildings, such as the leisure centre and Brae High School. It will assess the feasibility of using renewable energy, such as a dedicated wind turbine to help to power the network.

Attendees can find out more about the plans and speak with members of the team developing the proposals. Feedback will also be gathered to help shape the future of the project.

The drop-in event will take place on Tuesday 10th June 2025, from 3.30pm – 7.30pm at the Brae Hall.

Jeppe K. Skjølstrup, project manager with COWI, said: “The Brae district heating scheme is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how energy can be harnessed more effectively to deliver real benefits at a community level. Although concepts are still at the early stages, we’re keen to hear what local people think. Lerwick already has a well-established district heating network and the system in central Brae would work in a similar way.”

Claire Ferguson, team leader with the council’s Climate Change Strategy Team, added: “We are at the very beginning of exploring the possibility of a district heating system in Brae. If there is interest and the scheme is viable, plans would still need to be developed, and that could be several years. This is the chance for people to have a say right at the start of the process.”