The planning application for the proposed wind farm, initially expected by January 2025, has been delayed pending further environmental surveys, Manx Utilities chair John Wannenburgh has told Tynwald.
The highly contentious scheme is planned for Earystane but any planning process will almost certainly be appealed.
Mr Wannenburgh stated: “A planning application was initially scheduled to be submitted by January of this year, which would have allowed a year for the approvals process prior to construction commencing in 2026.”
However, additional survey work, now set for completion by October 2025, has pushed back the timeline.
Shifting
Jason Moorhouse raised concerns about the shifting deadlines, saying: “We weren’t actually given the date of October until this morning.”
He added: “I was hearing this weekend [that] an additional environmental impact assessment is just beginning, and that will take six months. So we’re looking now towards the start of 2026.”
Mr Wannenburgh emphasised the importance of due process, telling members “it will be worth getting this process right”.
He added: “The benefits [include] lower carbon emissions, energy resilience, stabilised electricity costs.”
The MUA chair added that local residents “will be the first [informed], and their comments are taken seriously”.
Tim Glover questioned the transparency of the timeline, asking for “certainty” as to when it is likely that application is going to go in.
Mr Wannenburgh told him: “The planning application is close to completion,” with surveys forming “less than 1% of the application itself.”
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