Orsted Steps up Plans for Wind Farm

Orsted is holding a series of community events next month as it steps up plans for a wind farm with up to 100 turbines off the coast of Maughold.

A planning application is due to be submitted in 2025 for the site which would be about six to 12 nautical miles off the coast.

The company says it is ‘actively exploring opportunities for 80 MW to 100 MW of the generation to be supplied directly to the Isle of Man to contribute towards meeting its energy demands, with excess generated electricity to be exported’.

The company has produced a booklet about the plans which will be delivered to homes across the island next week. It includes information about Orsted, early proposals for the Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Project.

John Galloway,  development director for the Isle of Man, said: ‘We are excited to introduce the Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm – this once in a generation opportunity for the Isle of Man to explore its energy security and independence, generate revenue for the government and bring real economic benefits to the island.

John Galloway

‘The information events we are hosting across the island, and our information booklet, are both important steps in the process of community engagement.

‘Our Isle of Man development team are looking forward to the chance to meet, discuss and share views on how offshore wind power off the coast of Maughold Head could support the Isle of Man’s journey to net zero in the decades to come.’

Plans

Having been granted a lease by the gov to use the Manx sea bed for a wind farm, Orsted has spent several years planning and scoping.

In its Environmental Impact Scoping Report the company outlines plans for 100 turbines which includes both
offshore and onshore infrastructure.

It said: ‘The promoter for the terrestrial infrastructure of the proposed development is yet to be determined and could be either the Applicant or Manx Utilities. As the promoter is yet to be determined, so is the route to consent and the exact nature of any accompanying application documents.’

And added: ‘The marine infrastructure of the Proposed Development includes the offshore generating stations (turbines and Array Cables) and transformer and convertor substations all approximately 11 km or more from Maughold Head at their closest point, and electrical cables and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) cables to landfall in the Isle of Man.’

Events

They all run from 2.30pm to 7pm:

• Monday November 20: Laxey – The Laxey Glen Pavilion, The Laxey Glen
• Tuesday November 21: Ramsey – Milntown House, Lezayre Road,
• Wednesday November 22: Peel – Kelvin Dawson Community Hub, Peel Football Club, Douglas Road
• Thursday November 23: Port Erin – Erin Arts Centre, Victoria Square
• Saturday November 25: Douglas – Villa Marina, Promenade Suite