- MoD warns Mooir Vannin wind farm could disrupt key radar over Irish Sea Isle of Man Today
- BAE fears 350m turbines would cut into safe flying zone for combat jets
- 477 consultation responses reveal split over island’s energy future
- Scheme proposes up to 87 turbines off north-east coast of the island Isle of Man Today
- Independent panel given 130 days to examine application in detail
The Ministry of Defence has objected to proposals for a major offshore wind farm in Manx waters, warning that the scheme could compromise aviation safety over the Irish Sea.
Its stance is set out in responses to the public consultation on the Mooir Vannin wind farm application, which have now been published. A total of 477 responses were submitted to the consultation, which opened on August 26 and closed on November 18. Submissions range from the need for long-term energy security to concerns over wildlife habitats, shipping lanes and the financial position of the developer.
One of the most significant responses comes from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, acting on behalf of the MoD. It sets out the department’s opposition to the proposals on the grounds of aviation safety, warning that the wind farm could cause ‘unacceptable and unmanageable’ interference with the surveillance radar used by BAE Warton aerodrome in Lancashire. Isle of Man Today
The MoD says the scheme would have a ‘significant and detrimental impact’ on the effective operation and capability of the air traffic control radar at BAE Warton Aerodrome. Until a suitable mitigation scheme has been submitted, assessed and accepted, it says it must continue to object to the development.
BAE has also lodged its own objection. The company cites concerns over the impact on radar and on the testing of combat aircraft flights based out of Warton. It says the height of the proposed turbines would infringe current minimum terrain safe altitudes set out in its operating procedures. Isle of Man Today
Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited, part of Danish energy firm Ørsted, is proposing to develop an offshore wind farm off the north-east coast of the island. The company has an agreement for lease of the area with the Department of Infrastructure. The plans envisage the installation of up to 87 wind turbine generators, with a maximum height to blade tip of up to 350 metres. Isle of Man Today
Some contributors to the consultation argue that offshore wind could play a valuable role in the island’s future energy mix. One respondent supports the scheme in principle but says that backing should depend on Ørsted giving clear and binding commitments to fund and install the shore connection and to supply electricity at no greater cost – and ideally at a discount – compared with current tariffs from Manx Utilities.
Another contributor expresses strong support for the project and says he has spent ‘countless’ hours using AI tools to counter what he describes as ‘inaccuracies, half-truths, and unfounded fears’ about the wind farm on social media. He concludes that onshore and offshore wind represent a ‘useful and responsible’ investment even without a formal net zero target. Isle of Man Today
The Council of Ministers has now referred the application to an independent panel of experts, which will ultimately advise whether a marine infrastructure consent should be granted. Over the coming weeks the panel will conduct a detailed review of the application and the consultation responses.
It will set out its initial assessment, along with the procedure and timetable, at a public preliminary meeting, which will formally begin the 130-day statutory examination period. Once that examination is complete, the panel must make its recommendation to ministers within 60 working days, and the Council of Ministers will then have a further 30 working days to make its final decision. Isle of Man Today
Turbulent times for Ørsted
Danish energy giant Ørsted has been hit by a series of financial setbacks that have reshaped its global offshore wind ambitions. In 2023 the company scrapped its Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects off New Jersey, citing supplier delays, higher long-term US interest rates and weaker assumptions on tax credits and permits. The decision came with impairment charges of about DKK 28.4 billion (around €3.8–4 billion).
Those write-downs contributed to a net loss of about DKK 20.2 billion for 2023, a sharp reversal for a company that had been seen as a flagship of the global renewables sector.
In response, Ørsted has paused dividend payments for the financial years 2023, 2024 and 2025, with a plan to resume payouts from 2026.
The group is also embarking on deep cost-cutting. It plans to reduce its global workforce by about 25 per cent, or some 2,000 jobs, by the end of 2027, including around 500 redundancies announced for 2025 as part of a wider restructuring.
Analysts link the turbulence to rising interest rates, inflation, supply-chain pressures and political headwinds in the US offshore wind market.
