Consultation on Irish Sea windfarms begin

Public invited to have their say on plans for three offshore projects

Three wind farms in the Irish Sea could power the equivalent of more than three million homes.

That’s the claim from the companies behind plans for the Morgan, Mona and Morecambe projects.

People are now being urged to have their say on them as part of a six-week consultation process which will run until 4 June.

Morgan and Mona are being developed as part of a joint venture between bp and Energie Baden-Wurttemberg AG (EnBW).

Morecambe is being developed by Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios, S.A and Flotation Energy Ltd.

The companies say the trio has the potential to generate more than 3GW which could help contribute to the UK Government’s commitment of 50GW of offshore wind power by 2030.

In May several events will be hosted across the Isle of Man, the North West of England and Wales so that residents and stakeholders can find out more about the projects.

The consultations will look at transmission and generation assets including subsea cables and turbines.

bp project director Richard Haydock said: "These consultations are the next step in us delivering our offshore wind projects and supplying UK customers with home-grown renewable energy.

"bp and EnBW are working closely with Cobra and Flotation Energy to develop the plans for the wind farms, so we encourage anyone who can, to attend the events and provide feedback.

"We look forward to working with the community and we’re excited to work with our partners to help deliver the next step in getting our wind farms online."

EnBW acting project director Burkhard Römhild said: “Following good conversations with several key stakeholders we are glad to see our projects now progress to the next stage, opening and intensifying the opportunity for all interested to share their views and give input for us to consider.

"We will progress our projects considering all the valuable input and balancing renewable electricity production with the protection of sensitive habitats and legitimate interests of the communities in which we will operate.

"We are looking forward to supplying British consumers with affordable and reliable electricity from our projects Morgan and Mona.

"The design of our projects as well as our cooperation with our neighbour Morecambe will help to achieve this whilst minimising impact on the environment as well as on our stakeholders.”

A spokesperson for Cobra and Flotation Energy said: “Morecambe Offshore Windfarm will play an essential part in the UK’s journey to a net zero future.

"Collectively, with the Morgan and Mona offshore wind farm projects, we have the potential to produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 3 million homes in the UK, as well as contributing to the security of the nation’s energy supplies.

"We are committed to engaging meaningfully with the local community throughout its development.

"We want it to be a shared endeavour, and something of which we and future generations can all be proud.

"Our formal consultation will, to that end, give people a chance to have their say and to shape the approach we take to delivering it."