Applicants to pay for marine infrastructure reports

A subsidiary of Orsted is the applicant for the Mooir Vannin project

The Department of Infrastructure has issued new regulations requiring applicants for marine infrastructure consent to pay a report writing fee.

The Marine Infrastructure Regulations 2026 insert a new regulation into the Marine Infrastructure Regulations 2024.

Under the change, applicants must pay a fee for preparing the examination report submitted to the Council of Ministers following an examination of an application for marine infrastructure consent.

The fee is calculated by reference to the number of report writing days spent preparing the report and the composition of the examining body. 

A single examiner costs £2,258 per report writing day, a panel of three examiners costs £4,919 per report writing day, and a panel of four or five examiners costs £7,490 per report writing day.

Following submission of the report, the Council of Ministers must notify the applicant in writing of the amount as soon as practicable. 

The applicant must pay no later than the last day of the period of 10 working days beginning with the date on which that written notice was given. If the fee is not paid within that period, no further steps need be taken in respect of the application.

The department says the purpose is to provide a specific mechanism for recovering the cost of preparing the report.

The regulations apply to any applicant whose marine infrastructure consent application proceeds to examination. 

Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited, a subsidiary of Orsted, is the applicant for the Mooir Vannin offshore wind farm project, which is currently progressing through the consenting process.