ScottishPower Renewables’ first fixed-bottom offshore windfarm in Scottish waters has taken an important step forward with the submission of its Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report for the project’s windfarm development area to the Scottish Government.
The milestone – requesting a formal ‘Scoping Opinion’ from the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate, the offshore planning authority – is a key element in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed MachairWind offshore windfarm.
The process will establish the environmental factors to be assessed and the approach to be taken throughout the EIA process, which will form a critical part of the MachairWind planning application, expected to be submitted in early 2026.
MachairWind could generate up to 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.
The scoping report covers 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 by ScottishPower Renewables – from 754km2 to 510 km2– as part of its early design considerations and could be refined further as project plans develop.
The report sets out existing environmental information based on publicly available data, site-specific surveys and studies, and stakeholder feedback from the likes of Argyll & Bute Council, NatureScot, Historic Environment Scotland, RSPB Scotland, and organisations representing commercial fisheries.
It then sets out technical topics that would be assessed as part of the EIA – including seascape, landscape and visual impact; offshore ornithology; marine mammals; commercial fisheries, socio-economics; and shipping and navigation.
The Marine Directorate is expected to provide its formal Scoping Opinion in the new year, following detailed consultation and engagement with key stakeholders.
Kiera Wilson, ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind Development Lead, said: “The submission of our scoping report is an important milestone and a key step in the consenting journey for MachairWind. We’re committed to ensuring our project is shaped by local people, communities and stakeholders and minimises any potential impacts while maximising benefits and opportunities across the Argyll and Bute region and the west of Scotland.
“We look forward to receiving feedback in due course and shaping our EIA and development proposals to ensure MachairWind does just that.”
The MachairWind Windfarm Development Area Scoping Report and appendices are available on the Marine Scotland website: https://marine.gov.scot/node/25685.