Windfarm project's clash with General Election described as 'unfortunate timing'

Ørsted says it understands frustrations over potential conflict of interest 

The company behind plans to build a wind farm in Manx waters says it's 'unfortunate' that the application for the project has coincided with the upcoming General Election.

Ørsted’s Mooir Vannin project is currently being assessed by an independent examining body as part of a six-month process.

The examination is due to finish at the start of September.

Examiners will then make a recommendation to the Cabinet Office, and new-look Council of Ministers, with a decision expected sometime in 2027.

Under the proposals the wind warm would be located 6-12 nautical miles off the east coast of the Island.

The Isle of Man will go to the polls on 24 September to elect a new House of Keys.

The Attorney General has already written to current politicians advising that if they adopt a stance on the project they may need to declare a conflict of interest.

This could then mean they need to excuse themselves from the decision-making process in the future if they are re-elected and end up as part of CoMin.

"If a decision maker has made public statements which plainly support or reject this particular application prior to it falling for final determination, the suggestion of pre-determination and/or appearance of bias would mean that they would need to declare a conflict and recuse themselves from participation in the decision-making process.” - Attorney General Walter Wannenburgh

Ørsted Project Director Jamie Baldwin says he can understand the public’s frustrations because he knows it’s a hot topic on the doorstep:

Ørsted has told Manx Radio since putting in the planning application it hasn’t had any direct conversations with government ministers.

A final week of public meetings, and specific issue hearings, has been scheduled to take place between 13 and 17 July.

You can find the full details HERE.