Size of wind farm reduced after public feedback

The size of a proposed offshore wind farm, which would be the first of its kind in Manx waters, has been reduced following public feedback.

Of the respondents, 282 said they supported it in some way, while 226 said they did not.

Orsted's Mooir Vannin project would see turbines built about 6-12 nautical miles (11.1km to 22.2km) off the island's east coast.

The firm gathered feedback from July to September last year and said it had made a number of changes as a result.

It said key reasons for opposing the plans were based on the negative visual impact, the effects on wildlife, and the implications for shipping and navigation.

Orsted said a total of 598 pieces of feedback were received, from online and paper forms provided as well as separate letters and emails.

The remaining number either did not answer or said they needed more information.

The firm said, in response to the feedback, there would now be a total of 87 turbines, 13 fewer than originally planned, and the area it spanned had been reduced from 97 sq miles ( 253 sq km) to 81 sq miles (211 sq km).

It said the change would minimise "the potential impact on the Steam Packet's shipping routes at the southern boundary", and would widen the gap to the north-west to "ensure the safest passage" for Mezeron freight services.

It also avoided "high intensity Queen Scallop fishing grounds in the south-west of the site", Orsted said.

Other changes included increasing the blade tip height to minimise the impact on birds on migration routes, from 98 ft ( 30m) above the lowest tide level, to 111ft (34m).

The overall maximum turbine height of 389m (1,276ft) has been reduced to 350 m (1,148ft).

Concerns had also been raised in the survey about marine life, especially species that could be deterred from entering Manx water due to infrastructure or noise.

Orsted said it would "develop a noise mitigation strategy" and work with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture as well as local environmental groups.

It also reduced the maximum number of offshore platforms from five to three.

The firm said it aimed to submit plans in the spring, with the project due to come into operation between 2030 and 2032

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