Local people on the islands of Mull and Iona got the chance to meet ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind offshore windfarm team for the first time recently to find out more about the planned project, which will be developed in the waters north-west of Islay and west of Colonsay.

The team hosted drop-in events in Iona Village Hall and Fionnphort’s Creich Hall as part of a programme of early-stage engagement with local island communities before formal consultation gets underway in the months and years ahead.

MachairWind will be the company’s first offshore windfarm off the west coast of Scotland. With a proposed generating capacity of up to 2GW, it could produce enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of up to two million homes across the UK.

Kiera Wilson, ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind Development Lead, said: “As a Muileach myself, it was great to bring the team to these islands for the first time at this early stage of development and a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to come along.

“MachairWind will provide an important green energy boost for the country and help deliver a whole host of other benefits like jobs, investment and supply chain opportunities across Scotland. We really valued the opportunity to have face-to-face discussions about what our project could mean for Mull and Iona and listen to what island residents had to say.

“Events like these are all about giving local people the chance to be informed and involved and that will continue as we move forward as we work to bring this exciting green project to life.”

Local people can keep up to date with the latest news on MachairWind at www.machairwind.co.uk.