page_title: Flotta
section_title: Economy
hierarchical_section_title: Flotta / Economy
caption_attribution_description: English: Flotta oil terminal 2007, aerial
context_page_description: Flotta is a small island in Orkney, Scotland, lying in Scapa Flow. The island is known for its large oil terminal and is linked by Orkney Ferries to Houton on the Orkney Mainland, Lyness on Hoy and Longhope on South Walls. The island has a population of 80.
context_section_description: The main industry on the island is energy production and distribution. Repsol Sinopec Energy UK Limited's Flotta Oil Terminal, processes oil from the North Sea for onward transfer. The oil terminal has been operational for 36 years. Opus Plus Ltd., an environmental research company, is also based within the oil terminal complex. Supplied by German manufacturer Enercon, the 2.3MW Flotta wind turbine was brought online in June 2010 at a cost of £3 million. The turbine, which is connected to the National Grid, has a hub height of 64 m (210 ft) and a rotor diameter of 71 m (233 ft).
  The Orkney Island Council provides employment to several people on Flotta. Farming remains an important source of revenue for the island economy, along with handicraft. A small number of residents are also employed on the Orkney Mainland.
  The island is served by one shop, which operates as a general store, a post office and a petrol station. The nearest supermarkets are situated in Kirkwall, on the Orkney Mainland, which has branches of Tesco and Lidl.
  The island has a mains water supply, and boreholes are also used. Flotta didn't have a mains electricity supply until 1977, although most households had had their own electricity generators for many years beforehand. Mains electricity is supplied by Scottish Hydro Electric. The island is connected to the BT telephone network. Mobile phone connections can be an issue. Broadband internet connection is possible on the island. There is no mains gas supply on Flotta, although coal and heating oil are delivered regularly, and Calor Gas is stored at the shop.
  In 2005, Flotta was considered to have the potential of expanding the island economy with heritage tourism, and with a particular regard for the Second World War-era structures which are spread across the island. The possible development of a marina was also considered, at that time.
caption: An aerial view of Flotta Oil Terminal in 2007
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