Government approves largest Irish Sea offshore wind farm

Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash

The Energy Secretary has given the ‘green light’ on what will be the largest offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea. It is estimated the proposed Mona Offshore Wind Farm could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1 million British homes, providing a major boost to the UK’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower.

Situated in the Irish Sea, the project will power growth across the country by building supply chain opportunities, with the developer launching a portal where local companies can offer their skills to deliver the project, boosting local communities in Wales and across the UK. The developer estimates it will support thousands of jobs, contributing to the up to 100,000 jobs supported by the offshore wind sector in Great Britain by 2030. Jobs are expected to include engineers and maintenance operations during the construction phase.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This Government was elected to take back control of our energy — and in our first year we have shown that the clean power revolution is here to stay. Whether it is offshore wind, solar or nuclear, we are backing the builders not the blockers so we deliver the clean homegrown power this country needs.”