Drop-in sessions to outline offshore wind farm plans off Manx coast

Proposals for a wind farm lay off the eastern coast from Maughold Head

The development of what would be the Isle of Man's first proposed wind farm is to be outlined at drop-in sessions.

Orsted recently published its Environmental Impact Scoping Report, which is a step towards submitting a planning application for the project.

It examines how the would affect the area six to 12 nautical miles (11.1km to 22.2km) off Maughold.

The sessions will be held from 14:30 to 19:00 GMT in Laxey, Ramsey, Peel, Port Erin and Douglas on 20 to 25 November.

The Danish company, which was previously called Dong Energy, was granted a lease to explore the potential for a wind farm in 2015.

Energy supply

In the report on the Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Project, Orsted outlined how it intended to assess the potential effects to ensure "any potential impacts are properly considered".

That included the proposed construction, operation and maintenance or decommissioning of the development.

It also said screening would take place to measure the level of "disturbance or displacement" for seabirds and water birds, as well as collision risk.

The affect of underwater noise on marine mammals was also among the considerations.

The project includes plans for 100 turbines to generate about 1.4 gigawatts, with 80 to 100 megawatts potentially "supplied directly" to the island and any excess electricity exported.

The Manx government has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 and plans to shift to green electricity generation by 2030.

Orsted said a application for planning permission for the project would be submitted by early 2025.

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