Shetland Islanders must earn £104,000 to avoid fuel poverty next year, official warns | Business newsletter

According to a local official, about 96% of the inhabitants of the Shetland Islands could fall into poverty by next April.

According to the Leader of the Shetland Islands Council, although Scotland supplies most of the UK’s gas, islanders must earn a salary of £104,000 to avoid falling into fuel poverty.

The estimated average cost of energy on the Shetland Islands will rise to £10,300 per household next April, with the vast majority of residents spending 10% of their income on energy bills.

A unique combination of factors drives the cost of living in Shetland to double that of the UK: a much colder climate, coupled with poor insulation and a lack of cheaper energy options such as electrification.

Council leader Emma Macdonald said: “Our islands have been a hub of oil and gas activity for over forty years, but our people have not seen the benefit of that in terms of the cost of fuel. whether lower.

“Shetland has contributed and will continue to contribute significantly to the UK’s energy exports, however people in our community will struggle to heat their homes next year.”

“This is particularly ironic, given the continued growth of offshore and onshore renewable energy production around Shetland.”

Local councils on the Shetland Islands are appealing for UK government support to enable communities to secure low-cost energy for islanders.

“But we also need immediate government help to address rising energy costs, which will have a damaging impact on people living in Shetland,” said Ms Macdonald.

Last week, Scotland’s Energy Secretary said raising the energy price ceiling would be “unsustainable” and would push millions into fuel poverty.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added that the increase in the price ceiling could not be allowed to continue.

“This is simply unpayable for the millions,” she tweeted. “It can’t be allowed to go ahead.”

“This increase must be reversed, with the UK government and energy companies subsequently agreeing to a longer-term freeze cost funding package, along with fundamental energy market reforms. “