ScottishPower Renewables has submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report for its first fixed-bottom offshore wind project in Scottish waters.
The milestone – requesting a formal ‘Scoping Opinion’ from the Scottish Government’s offshore planning authority Marine Directorate – is a key element in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed 2GW MachairWind offshore wind project.
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.
The scoping report covers the wind farm development area only, which is the area of seabed north-west of Islay and west of Colonsay, which 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 754 km 2 to 510 km 2– 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, such as 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: “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.”