Chief minister keen to release the lease for offshore wind farm

Chris Thomas says legal advice will be needed first

The Island's new chief minister has told MHKs he wants to see the lease for an offshore wind farm in Manx waters released. 

Chris Thomas was answering questions, alongside fellow candidate Kirrie Jenkins, in the House of Keys this week ahead of the vote which saw him chosen to lead the Island. 

Garff MHK Richard Henthorn asked both candidates whether they would fully support the authorisation of the unredacted release of the agreement for lease document held by the Department of Infrastructure in regard to the Marine Infrastructure Management Act for inspection by the new members. 

Mr Thomas who said the lease 'should be published' in his manifesto to be chief minister told members: "I mean that".

He continued: "Whether this will be unredacted will depend on legal advice. An alternative might be making it available for private inspection by MHKs."

Mr Thomas added that details of the agreement had been disclosed in written answers to his questions since 2024. 

The agreement, signed in 2015 and amended in 2017, gave Dong Energy Island UK Limited seabed rights to explore an offshore wind farm until 2030, subject to conditions including obtaining consents and meeting contractual obligations. 

Dong has since rebranded as Orsted. 

The examination stage of the offshore wind farm proposal ended on 9 September and the examination body is required to sends its recommendation to the Council of Ministers within 60 working days of the end of examination.

Ministers must publish this report 'as soon as is reasonably practicable'.