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Excitement builds for Tall Ships Races 2023 event in Lerwick

25 Jul 2023

As Host Port sponsors of Tall Ships Lerwick, excitement across SSE Renewables is building following the arrival of the first Tall Ships fleet into Lerwick Port.

Lerwick has been appointed as a host port for the 2023 races and where  the fleet will berth between 26th and 29th July. The Perth based renewable energy developer is proud to support the high-profile event which promises to be a celebration of sailing, friendship and community.

SSE Renewables support includes sponsorship of the Holmsgarth stage at the Tall Ships’ event site as well as the sponsorship of two trainees aboard a vessel during the race leg from Lerwick, Shetland to Norway. One trainee will be an SSE Renewables colleague and the other will be a local young person from Shetland.

The sponsorship strengthens the company’s community links in Shetland as it continues to develop the Viking Energy Wind Farm, harnessing Shetland’s excellent wind resource to generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 475,000 homes.

"Since being announced as a Host Port sponsor last year, we’ve been counting down the days until The Tall Ships event and to see the first of The Tall Ships fleet sailing into Lerwick is really exciting. Over the next few days, we’re looking forward to playing our part in such an amazing event that will bring so many people together."

Julie Graham Viking Energy Wind Farm’s Community Engagement Manager

The annual event organised by Sail Training International involves sailing in European waters to selected ports where they will host festivals that can be expected to bring between 200,000 and 1 million visitors over 3 to 4 days. Lerwick has twice previously hosted the Tall Ships Races in 1999 and 2011, this year it’s expected that between 6 and 10 tall ships will take part.