The special STEM* education event – organised by ScottishPower Renewables’ MachairWind project team and Fugro, the company carrying out metocean, wind resource and geophysical surveys for the proposed windfarm – proved to be a huge hit with both kids and parents alike.

The fun sessions included interactive discussions and games about wind turbine technology, as well as the chance to build and decommission a small OffshoreWind4Kids kit.

Their feedback comments included:

• “I liked the triangle turbine because it had lots of bits on it.” – Rosa (5)
• “I was interested in the structure of the turbines because I thought they were all one piece” – Dax (12)
• “I like the spinning bit because it turns around fast!”– Louis (5)
• “I was surprised how long the blade was and that they had to be lifted by huge cranes when being built, it’s amazing!” – Daniel (11)
• “I like two things, the pump on the floating turbine and that the blades can change angle.” – Joseph (9)
• “I liked learning about the suction on the foundations.” – Grace (9)
• “I like how they use boats to scan the seabed.” – Alba (9)

MachairWind will be developed in the waters north-west of Islay and west of Colonsay. With a proposed generating capacity of 2GW, it could produce enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of more than two million homes across the UK.

Deborah Bryce, MachairWind Community Engagement Manager, said: “It was really wonderful to see the kids getting stuck in and having fun. They were fascinated about how wind turbines work and how the clean, green energy they produce gets from these impressive structures out in the water into their homes and powering their lives.

“Feedback from the parents and kids alike was overwhelmingly positive and it was a great way to engage with the local island communities as well as the potential green workforce of the future. A huge thank you to our colleagues from Fugro, MacTaggart Leisure Centre, Islay High School and everyone who took the time to come along and join in!”

Jonathan Ainley, Global Key Account Manager at Fugro commented: “Supporting the communities we work in is important to us at Fugro. We’re grateful to partner with MachairWind to bring this initiative to children across Islay and Jura. Their great questions and enthusiasm for the energy transition was wonderful to see.”

Building on ScottishPower’s long-standing presence and positive track record of working with local communities and businesses across Argyll & Bute, MachairWind will generate enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than two million homes across the UK.

To give local people the chance to hear the latest news about the project and what it could mean for the islands and a clean energy future, the team hosted a public drop-in event on Colonsay before welcoming visitors to a dedicated MachairWind stand at the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show.

“We pride ourselves on being a good neighbour and a positive and proactive part of the local communities where we develop and operate our windfarms, and we very much value their input and feedback. It was great to get such a warm welcome while we listened to what local people had to say.

“We’re going to be part of the island communities for the next 25-30 years as we progress through the development stage and towards the construction and operation of the project, so there will be lots more to come and we look forward to coming back soon.”

Building on SPR’s long-standing presence and positive track record of working with local communities and businesses across Argyll & Bute, MachairWind will generate enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than two million homes across the UK.

The MachairWind team will host a public drop-in event at Colonsay Village Hall in Scalasaig between 5pm-7pm on Wednesday 9 August before heading to Islay for the Islay, Jura and Colonsay Agricultural Show – which it is involved in sponsoring – on Thursday 10 August.

SPR’s Senior Project Manager for MachairWind, Kiera Wilson, said: “We’re really excited to be getting back to the islands for our second visit of the year. I’m especially pleased that we’ll be hosting our first public event on Colonsay after the weather defeated our previous attempt and hope as many people as possible take the chance to come along.

“We’re also incredibly proud to be involved in sponsoring the Islay Show for the very first time and look forward to playing our part in such an important event for the islands. We pride ourselves on being a responsible developer and good neighbour, and getting involved in the Show is a great way for us to build on what we’ve been doing so far.

“So, make sure you drop by our stand and have a chat about how MachairWind can help deliver a clean energy future for us all.”