ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) is set to commence the first phase of statutory public consultation for its proposed MachairWind offshore windfarm later this month, with a series of events planned across Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull, and Iona.

The formal consultation period will run for six weeks, from Monday, 26 May to Sunday, 6 July 2025. During this time, SPR will host in-person drop-in events on the islands, alongside a virtual consultation room and online webinars, to maximise opportunities for local communities to engage and provide feedback on the project.

The MachairWind project, if realised, could generate approximately 2GW of clean electricity – enough to power the equivalent of up to two million homes. SPR highlights that the development is also expected to deliver significant investment, job creation, and wider opportunities across the west coast of Scotland.

Kiera Wilson, ScottishPower Renewables' MachairWind Development Lead, said: “It may surprise people to hear that this will be the first formal consultation for the MachairWind project as we've spent a lot of time on the islands over the past few years – getting to know local people and communities, listening to what they have to say, and giving them the chance to meet us and find out about our plans."

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She emphasised the importance of this formal stage: “However, statutory consultation is a really important part of the planning and consenting process, so I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved – whether you've attended one of our events before or will be coming along for the first time. We're making it as easy as possible for people to have their say... We're looking forward to getting that invaluable local input and insight as we shape our plans for bringing this exciting clean energy project to life.”

Consultation Schedule:

Public Drop-in Events (3pm to 7.30pm):

• Islay: Tuesday, 3 June – Port Mor, Port Charlotte

• Colonsay: Wednesday, 4 June – Colonsay Village Hall, Scalasaig

• Islay: Wednesday, 11 June – Gaelic College, Bowmore

• Jura: Thursday, 12 June – Jura Village Hall, Craighouse

• Mull: Tuesday, 17 June – Creich Hall, Fionnphort

• Iona: Wednesday, 18 June – Iona Village Hall

Online Webinars (6.30pm to 7.30pm, registration required via [email protected]):

• Tuesday, 10 June 2025

• Monday, 23 June 2025

Virtual Consultation Room:

Available from Monday, 26 May to Sunday, 6 July at www.machairwind.co.uk

This statutory consultation specifically focuses on the windfarm development area itself – the seabed region north-west of Islay and west of Colonsay. This area is proposed to host up to 147 wind turbines and their foundations, as well as inter-array cables. SPR notes that the proposed development area has already been significantly reduced in size from 754km² to 510km² based on early design considerations and may be refined further as project plans evolve.

Separate consultations regarding the associated electricity transmission infrastructure, which will connect the windfarm to the grid in the south-west of mainland Scotland, will take place at a later date.