Blown Away: More Than £3m Spent on Windfarm Plans with No Planning Yet

It turns out you can spend more than £3 million of public money on something without even applying for permission to build it.

Step forward: the proposed Cair Vie onshore windfarm, where the only thing blowing so far seems to be the budget.

According to a Freedom of Information request by local group Cair Vie Resistance, Manx Utilities has splashed £3,138,932 (yes, we triple-checked that number) on consultancy fees for the project – despite not yet submitting a planning application.

The proposed £36 million windfarm, to be built at Earystane and Scard, was originally meant to hit the planning desk back in January.

But there’s been a delay in the environmental homework — officially known as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) — which now isn’t expected to be finished until the end of this month.

Resistance group spokesperson Kirrie Jenkins didn’t hold back, saying: ‘More than £3 million of public money has been spent on consultancy for a windfarm that hasn’t even reached the planning stage.

‘This raises serious questions about accountability, priorities, and whether the people of the Isle of Man are being properly consulted or protected.’

Despite the eye-watering consultancy costs, Manx Utilities confirmed that no payments have been made to any actual windfarm developers yet, and only £16,348 has gone to suppliers.

Meanwhile, project and management costs are being wrapped up in a broader ‘transition programme’ budget – so there’s no clear breakdown for just the windfarm itself.

As for the windfarm itself, it’s expected to generate 20-28 megawatts and cost around £36 million, though that could still change depending on who ends up making the turbines.

Manx Utilities said it’s too soon to give a final price tag.

In a carefully polished statement, the authority said the project is still going through all the proper steps, including that long-awaited environmental impact assessment, which is apparently being done by ‘experts in the environment’

They added: ‘By doing so, the development of renewable energy solutions, such as the Cair Vie windfarm project, proceeds responsibly while also enhancing the natural environment through well-designed initiatives.’

Manx Utilities also reminded everyone that they’re not in charge of energy policy – just keeping the electricity flowing economically.

Their goal, they say, is to ensure the island’s energy independence, phase out fossil fuels, and stabilise prices.

A round of consultations happened in 2024, and more public engagement is promised once the planning application is finally submitted.

The process, they insist, is designed to make sure the public has a say — even if it’s already £3 million deep.

So, in summary: no turbines, no planning application, but consultants? They’re absolutely wind-powered.