A fresh set of proposals to transform Andreas Airfield into a rural employment and renewable energy hub will go on public display next month.
IPV Flexgen will host a public consultation at Andreas Parish Hall on Wednesday, June 10, from 10am to 7pm, showcasing updated plans to repurpose previously developed land into a farmer‑led energy and commercial zone.
The scheme centres on a renewable micro‑grid, combining an anaerobic digester (AD), ground mounted solar PV and battery storage.
At peak output it could generate up to 27MW of electricity, around 90% of the island’s 2026 renewable energy deployment target, while offsetting 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
New Income Stream For Farmers
Local farmers would supply feedstock for the AD plant, which is designed to run on crops such as maize, whole‑crop cereals and grass silage, not household or garden waste.
If approved, the plant would create up to 10 operational jobs and provide a new income stream for Manx agriculture.
The owner of Andreas Airfield, Robert Morrey, and Managing Director of IPV Flexgen, Ed Jessamine have been speaking to Manx.News:
Alongside electricity, the AD plant would produce heat to support on‑site businesses, with potential for a wider district heating network capable of serving up to 300 nearby homes.
The project team has spent the past 18 months working with farmers, the Manx NFU, DEFA and Manx Utilities to refine the proposal, Ed explained what the team has been doing since the last community consultation:
They say the development would help meet government climate targets while supporting sustainable economic growth and protecting the island’s UNESCO Biosphere status.
If planning permission is granted, the privately funded scheme would be built in phases from early 2027.