Wind Farm Development

The Department of Infrastructure is cooperating closely with the Department of Economic Development and the Department of the Environment Food and Agriculture to ensure that the Isle of Man benefits from the development of renewable energy projects, including windfarms, in the Isle of Man’s territorial waters. It is anticipated that the Isle of Man may also benefit by the use of Douglas Harbour as a base for the operation and maintenance of wind farms located inside and just outside of the Isle of Man’s territorial waters.

As well as the environmental and economic benefits from such developments the Department must also take account of the potential adverse impact that they may have on the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s long-established ferry routes to Heysham and Liverpool. Although Centrica and other developers have yet to finalise the details of their future wind farms, first indications are that if these developments proceed as indicated permanent deviations in the Steam Packet’s current routes are likely. Such deviations will impose potentially unacceptable permanent increases in journey time, fuel consumption and therefore costs.

The Department is co-operating closely with the Steam Packet to assess the scale of any adverse impacts. Discussions and consultations with wind farm developers have begun and the Department of Infrastructure is using them to strongly argue for the current direct ferry routes to be

maintained. For further information Captain Michael Brew - 686626