Offshore wind farm proposals outlined at sessions

A row of five large of silhouetted offshore wind turbines with many other rows of the structures in the background. The turbines ate backed by an orange-lit sky and sit on a dark blue rippling body of water.Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

The proposals could see up 100 turbines constructed off the island's coast

  • Published

Residents are being given the chance to find out more about proposals for what would be the Isle of Man's first offshore wind farm.

The firm behind the Mooir Vannin project, Orsted, are hosting a series of consultation events across the island.

Details about the £4bn proposals, which would see up to 100 turbines off the coast of Maughold, have also been made available online in a virtual tour., external

The firm said it aimed to submit plans for approval next spring, with the project due to come into operation between 2030 and 2032.

Seabed surveys to gather data ahead of that were announced in March.

The company previously said the Manx project was expected to generate about 1.4 gigawatts, with the potential for up to 100 megawatts to be supplied to the island.

Image caption,

An area off Maughold Head has been earmarked for the project

Orsted's Isle of Man development director John Galloway said: "We can now share much more information about what the wind farm could look like, the benefits it would bring, plus the significant seabed survey work we have done so far."

The consultation process would allow the public to engage with the development team and the responses would "inform the planning application we intend to submit," he added.

The consultation sessions begin at Laxey Glen Pavilion between 14:00 and 19:00 BST, with the second session due to be held at the same time at Ramsey's Old Courthouse on Friday.

The consultation boards will be on display at the Old Market Hall, on North Quay in Douglas, on 6 August between 12:00 and 18:00, the Corrin Hall in Peel on 7 August and the Bradda Head Cafe in Port Erin on 8 August, both from 14:00 to 19:00.

Leaflets outlining the consultation have been distributed to households across the island and comments can be submitted until 11 September.

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