Site Selected

On 2 December 2025, ScottishPower Renewables confirmed a major refinement of the development area for its proposed MachairWind offshore windfarm, effectively tightening the project’s preferred site. Following stakeholder engagement, the team reported that the windfarm development area north‑west of Islay and west of Colonsay has been significantly reduced in size, from 754 km² to 448 km². This represents a reduction of more than 40% in the area under consideration and reflects the evolving understanding of where MachairWind can most appropriately be located within the wider zone. The change was driven in large part by feedback gathered during the first round of statutory public consultation, as well as by engineering considerations assessed by the project team. Insights from communities on Islay, Jura, Colonsay, the Ross of Mull, and Iona contributed to shaping which parts of the original area should continue to be progressed and which should be removed from the development envelope. By incorporating this feedback alongside technical assessments, ScottishPower Renewables has narrowed the focus of its site selection to the 448 km² area now presented during the second consultation round. This refined area forms the basis for the next stage of MachairWind’s early development, including the preparation of a pre‑application consultation report to be submitted with future consent applications. The updated site boundary provides a clearer framework for ongoing design, impact assessment, and engagement with stakeholders as the project moves towards formal planning and regulatory processes.