An application to develop the first offshore windfarm in Isle of Man territorial waters has been accepted for examination by the Council of Ministers under the Marine Infrastructure Management Act 2016 (‘MIMA’). This means that the application will be considered by an independent examining body in detail following a public consultation.
Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited proposes to develop an offshore windfarm off the north-east coast of the Island in an area it has an Agreement for Lease with the Department of Infrastructure.
Applications under MIMA are treated separately and under different legislation from standard land planning applications because they fall outside of the area covered by the Town and Country Planning Act 1999. MIMA specifies that the Council of Ministers is automatically the decision maker for these specific marine projects and the Cabinet Office manages the consenting process on behalf of Council.
MIMA and the Marine Infrastructure (Consenting Process) Regulations 2024 set out a comprehensive, transparent examination process across several stages which ensures there is plenty of time and opportunity for anyone with an interest to submit views on the offshore windfarm proposal.
- Today (Tuesday 26 August) a public consultation and the register of interested parties has opened for individuals and organisations across the Island, and beyond, to have their say and to register to ensure they are kept informed of all meetings held during examination
- The government website mima.gov.im is a central resource for information, guidance, examination progress, and for documents and papers associated with the Mooir Vannin application examination.
At the end of the consultation the application and all consultation responses will be referred to a panel of independent experts in major infrastructure consenting applications. As the examining body appointed by the Council of Ministers, their role is to review the application, arrange any hearings and meetings, set the examination timetable at a public, preliminary meeting, and submit a recommendation to the Council of Ministers.
Chief Minister, Hon. Alfred Cannan MHK, said:
‘Now that an application for marine infrastructure consent has been accepted for examination, a series of events with statutory timescales will get underway.
‘The pre-examination phase of the process begins immediately, which means members of the public, organisations and stakeholders have the opportunity to express their views on the proposal.
‘Today a 12-week public consultation opens for everyone across the Island, and beyond, to get involved, to read and understand the application, and to tell the examining body what they think. Views expressed during this phase can inform and shape the structure of the examination, that is, the examination timetable and the issues to be assessed during the examination period.
‘By submitting a written response you ensure your views are considered as part of the examination process prior to the final decision being made about the application. Anyone with an interest in the application can also register as an interested party to be kept informed on the progress of the application and of all meetings held by the examining body.
‘At this stage the consultation is part of the statutory process and the next step required in law following the receipt of an acceptable application. This does not mean that the Council of Ministers, or indeed any particular Minister, is either for or against the proposals and throughout this period Government will not be in a position to comment on any of the merits or otherwise of the proposal.
‘The purpose of the consultation is to gather all those views from relevant stakeholders including the general public, and all the considerations that come forward as part of this process will be gathered and will be considered at the end of this examination period.’
Find out more about the application
Visit mima.gov.im to read the application, see the MIMA application process, register as an interested party, and for details on how to have your say.
- To register as an interested party, complete the online form or download the form and email it to MIMA.Applications@gov.im
- Collect and return a paper copy of the form from 3rd Floor Government Offices, Bucks Road, Douglas IM1 3PN. Address the returned form to the Case Manager, Offshore Energy Programme
- Please note that you will still need to respond directly to the consultation in writing for your views to be taken into account
- Visit the advice and guidance page for FAQs and practical help on how to engage with the consultation. A guide to the examination and consultation process explains how to ensure your views are take into consideration by the examining body. It includes instructions on information to include in written representations and comments, how personal information is collected and used, and the stages in the MIMA process which follow the public consultation
A paper copy of the application will be available at Douglas City Library, 8 Duke Street, Douglas IM1 2AY and Ramsey Town Library, Parliament Square.
Take part in the consultation
The consultation starts today (Tuesday 26 August) and closes at midnight on Friday 18 November.
- Visit mima.gov.im to:
- Register as an interested party and respond to the consultation
- Download a paper version of the response form and return via email to MIMA.Applications@gov.im
- Register as an interested party and respond to the consultation
- Collect and return a paper copy of the form from 3rd Floor Government Offices, Bucks Road, Douglas IM1 3PN. Address the returned form to the Case Manager, Offshore Energy Programme
Please contact the Cabinet Office at MIMA.Applications@gov.im with questions about the consultation. Any specific questions in respect of the application itself should be directed to Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited at orsted.im/contact-us.
Once the consultation period has closed, the examining body will hold a preliminary meeting to explain to the public the examination process and timetable.
Within 60 days of the examination closing, the examining body will recommend to the Council of Ministers whether or not to grant marine infrastructure consent. The Council of Ministers will then take this recommendation report into account and will make a final decision on the application.
