Irish Sea wind farm project submitted to planning inspectorate

Just over 20 nautical miles from the northwest coast of England, the proposed Morgan Offshore Wind Farm in the Irish Sea would bring 96 turbines over 280kmsq with an approximate capacity of 1500MW (1.5GW). 

The project has a potential to power the equivalent of around 1.5million homes, the developer claims. The wind farm is a joint venture between BP and Dutch-firm Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW). 

A line-drawing of the proposed view from Muncaster Fell that was submitted with the application (Image: Morgan Offshore Windfarm)

Drawings submitted by the developer show that from Black Combe and Muncaster Fell the project will add more turbines to the line of sight from Furness and Copeland, with the Ørsted Walney wind farm already clearly visible when looking out to sea. 

The array area will also be 2.96km away from the Millom West offshore oil and gas platform. 

The proposed view from Black Combe (Image: Morgan Offshore Windfarm)

One of the documents submitted to the inspectorate said the array area 'does not overlap' with any sites designated for nature conservation or water quality. 

The proposal includes the construction of up to four offshore substation platforms and their foundations, and the construction of a network of subsea inter-array cables. 

The number of proposed turbines has been reduced from 107 since last year's public consultation. 

READ MORE: Wind farms proposed off Barrow in Irish Sea

Because the proposal is for a major energy project, and is in English waters, the decision goes straight to the planning inspectorate which reviews applications on behalf of the secretary of state. 

It could still take around a year for a decision to be made on the proposal as it makes its way through the planning process. The secretary of state will have to read a report written by the inspectorate after an examination phase.