Cannan Breaks Silence as Offshore Wind Row Escalates
The political fallout from Dr Alex Allinson’s explosive appearance at the Mooir Vannin examination has now drawn in the Chief Minister, Alfred Cannan MHK. Mr Cannan took to Facebook this morning to publicly reject the idea that the Isle of Man could be surrounded by multiple offshore windfarms. His intervention marks the first time the head of government has directly addressed the issue.
“Fantasy on many levels”
Cannan wrote that the notion of the island encircling itself with windfarms and generating hundreds of millions in revenue was “not helpful” and “not happening,” dismissing it as “fantasy on so many levels.” His post was clearly aimed at shutting down the interpretation fuelled by Allinson’s own language, that Mooir Vannin could be the first of several offshore zones.
Rebuttal to Allinson’s Implied Expansion
The Chief Minister argued that neighbouring nations are already pursuing their own renewable energy strategies and would have no reason to buy power from the Isle of Man. He highlighted the difficulty of securing grid access and selling electricity at competitive prices, and pointed to practical constraints involving trade routes, aviation, and defence. In his view, even if political support existed, the idea of multiple windfarms around the island is simply not feasible.
Cannan insisted that there is only one proposition on the table and that was Mooir Vannin; and that this is where attention should remain. His message was a clear attempt to refocus the debate and contain the political shockwave created by Allinson’s comments yesterday.
A Measured Correction and a Warning
While rejecting the multi‑windfarm narrative, Cannan did acknowledge that Allinson was correct about the island’s economic pressures. But he pushed back on the use of GDP as a headline indicator, saying that gross national income, jobs data and earnings provide a more accurate picture of performance. He stressed that although challenges exist, there are “many ways” for the island to strengthen its economy and develop new opportunities without resorting to the kind of offshore expansion implied in Allinson’s speech.
A Government Divided on Messaging
Cannan’s post exposes a widening gap between the former Treasury minister’s expansive offshore vision and the government’s official line. Allinson, who is not seeking re‑election, delivered a parting shot that hinted at a much larger offshore strategy. The Chief Minister has now moved quickly to shut that down, insisting that the public should not read more into the situation than the single proposal currently under examination.
The clash leaves the public caught between two conflicting narratives: one suggesting that Mooir Vannin is merely the beginning, and another insisting that it is the only project in play.
In The Hands of Voters
However with a new administration coming in after Septembers general election, a new government and Tynwald could either pull the plug on Mooir Vannin completely, or if sufficient numbers of pro-wind MHK’s are elected, then Dr Allinson’s assertions that Mooir Vannin is the start, could become a reality. The future of all of this is in the hands of the electorate and campaigners are appealing to voters to scrutinsie closely the candidates who are standing.
