Argyll and Bute Council have welcomed the news that Scottish Power Renewables have been awarded the seabed rights to develop an off-shore windfarm off Islay, as announced as part of Crown Estate Scotland's ScotWind Leasing auction.

Council Leader Robin Currie said: "This has the potential to bring significant benefits to Argyll and Bute, as well as more widely across Scotland.

"It could increase by 200% the amount of clean energy we produce in Argyll and Bute, and make a major contribution to getting Scotland and Argyll and Bute to net zero.

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"It creates opportunities for a substantial number of temporary and permanent jobs across Argyll and Bute, helping our economy recover and grow sustainably.

"It also has the potential to position Argyll and Bute as a place where new industries such as data centres can access a ready supply of renewable energy. We look forward to working with Scottish Power Renewables as this project moves forward."

Potential suppliers can get involved through the Scottish Power website (MachairWind, Islay): MachairWind - ScottishPower Renewables.

The proposed 2GW off-shore wind farm proposal will be subject to achieving all the necessary permissions that will cover this.