The first statutory consultation for ScottishPower Renewables’ proposed MachairWind offshore windfarm is now underway, with a virtual consultation room available online and community drop-in events taking place from next week across Islay, Jura, Colonsay, Ross of Mull and Iona.

The formal consultation will run until Sunday 6 July and has been designed to give as many people as possible the chance to get involved and provide their feedback on the latest project information and plans.

With potential seascape, landscape and visual impact considerations for the design of the windfarm, the statutory consultation gives local people the first chance to see how the windfarm could look from 14 different viewpoints across the islands. The locations were selected following discussion with local community groups and stakeholders, including Argyll & Bute Council and NatureScot.

The images give a theoretical indication of how visible the windfarm could be depending on the number, size and capacity of the turbines that could be used on the project – no decision has been taken on any of this as yet.   

Kiera Wilson, ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind Development Lead, said: “It’s really exciting to get our first statutory consultation underway and we look forward to hearing from as many people as possible over the next six weeks. Whether coming along to our drop-in events or visiting our virtual consultation room, we’ve made it as easy as possible for local people to get involved and have your say, with access to the same information whether taking part in-person or visiting us online.

“While it’s still early days for the project and there will be lots more work to do on the details and designs for the proposed windfarm, I’m pleased that we can share these images with local communities to show how the project could look and hear what people think before we make further refinements to the design to mitigate and minimise any potential impact on the local landscape.

“This is all part of the open and transparent approach we’ve taken over the last three years to keep local people informed and give them the opportunity to help us shape this vital clean energy project that could power millions of homes and deliver long and lasting economic and social benefits across the west coast of Scotland and beyond. I look forward to hearing what people have to say.”

The statutory consultation runs from Monday 26 May until Sunday 6 July.

The virtual consultation room – including the photo montages – can be viewed on the public consultation section at www.machairwind.com.