MachairWind will build on SPR’s long-standing presence and positive track record as a responsible onshore wind developer and good neighbour across Argyll and Bute - investing in and working with local communities and businesses, to realise the benefits of renewable energy.
As we progress our plans for MachairWind, we will keep stakeholders, local people, businesses, and communities informed and highlight the opportunities for you to get involved here. 
Islander takes up new community role for MachairWind offshore windfarm
In March 2023, SPR appointed Debs Bryce, a local Development Trust director and former island community councillor based on the Isle of Jura as the Community Engagement Manager for MachairWind. An advocate for clean, green energy with extensive experience in community engagement and development, Debs will be the first point of contact in the project team for people living on Islay, Colonsay and Jura.
She will play a key role in keeping people informed and engaged about MachairWind and supporting the project through the planning and development processes. Her role will also focus on how local communities can benefit from the windfarm by maximising the local socio-economic benefits from the project.
Get to know the rest of the MachairWind team.
Skills & Education
We are currently developing a skills strategy for MachairWind and see skills as an important way to add value to the local area. SPR has delivered great education programmes across Argyll & Bute over the years through our onshore wind projects and are keen to continue making a valuable contribution in this way through the development of the MachairWind project. An example of a successful skills strategy on another one of our offshore windfarms is our East Anglia One Project. Find out more information about East Anglia One.
In October 2023, we visited Islay as part of our skills outreach. In conjunction with Fugro, we hosted a STEM event for children aged 5 to 12 years old. They were given the opportunity to build model wind turbines and put their learning to the test, encouraging their curiosity about renewable energy and STEM subjects.
Quotes
I liked the triangle turbine because it had lots of bits on it.
Rosa, 5 years old
I like two things, the pump on the floating turbine and that the blades can change angle.
Joseph, 9 years old
I like how they use boats to scan the seabed.
Alba, 9 years old
Supply Chain Events
In July 2023, in partnership with the DeepWind Offshore Wind Cluster, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Argyll & Bute Council, SPR hosted a packed supply chain event at the Scottish Association for Marine Science in Oban.
It was great to meet local suppliers and hear about what services exist in the area. The day was a brilliant success with local suppliers and stakeholders being able to find out more information about the MachairWind project.
Community Events
In August 2023, the MachairWind team hosted a public drop-in event at Colonsay Village Hall in Scalasaig and attended the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show. Both events were a great opportunity to meet local people and discuss project developments. You can read the full press release on the Machairwind News Page. We hope to attend the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show again in 2024.
In February 2024, we hosted a stand at the ALIenergy MAK STEM Fest, with over 140 lower secondary pupils and senior students participating in interactive workshops with STEM employers. There was a lot of excitement in the room as our MachairWind project team showcased the different learning opportunities and career paths available in the renewable energy sector.
With lots of questions on the day about why we develop windfarms offshore, how we clean turbines and how big the blades are, it was exciting to be able to show the pupils a fixed bottom turbine model and bring our MachairWind project to life!
