Local people across Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull and Iona will have the opportunity to get involved and have their say on ScottishPower Renewables’ proposed MachairWind offshore windfarm when the first phase of statutory consultation gets underway later this month.
The formal consultation will run for six weeks from the end of May, with in-person drop-in events on the islands, a virtual consultation room and online webinars planned to give as many people as possible the chance to get involved and provide their feedback.
MachairWind could generate around 2GW of clean, green electricity – enough to power the equivalent of up to two million homes – and deliver significant investment, jobs and opportunities across the west coast of Scotland and beyond.
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.
“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, with six face-to-face events on the islands as well as live online webinars and a virtual consultation room, which will be available for people to access throughout the six-week consultation. 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.”
The consultation will run from Monday 26 May until Sunday 6 July:
Public drop-in events
- Islay: Tuesday 3 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Port Mor, Port Charlotte
- Colonsay: Wednesday 4 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Colonsay Village Hall, Scalasaig
- Islay: Wednesday 11 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Gaelic College, Bowmore
- Jura: Thursday 12 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Jura Village Hall, Craighouse
- Mull: Tuesday 17 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Creich Hall, Fionnphort, Mull
- Iona: Wednesday 18 June – 3pm to 7.30pm, Iona Village Hall, Iona
Online webinars
- Tuesday 10 June 2025 – 6.30pm to 7.30pm (registration required)
- Monday 23 June – 6.30pm to 7.30pm (registration required)
To register for your chosen webinar, email: machairwind@scottishpower.com
Virtual consultation room
Available from Monday 26 May until Sunday 6 July at www.machairwind.co.uk
The statutory consultation focuses on the windfarm development area only – the area of seabed north-west of Islay and west of Colonsay that will host up to 147 wind turbines and foundations as well as the cables connecting the turbines. The area has been significantly reduced in size – from 754km2 to 510 km2 – as part of early design considerations and could be refined further as project plans develop.
Separate consultation will take place at a later date to consider the related electricity transmission infrastructure, which will connect to the grid in the south-west of mainland Scotland.