NI’s first offshore wind project scrapped

Plans to build Northern Ireland’s first major offshore wind farm has been scrapped. The £1 billion project would have included 100 turbines off the south-east coast of County Down and […]

Plans to build Northern Ireland’s first major offshore wind farm has been scrapped.

The £1 billion project would have included 100 turbines off the south-east coast of County Down and created up to 100 jobs.

The First Flight Wind consortium, backed by Denmark’s DONG Energy and the UK’s RES, said the decision was made “as a result of delays to the design of the new market and renewable incentive arrangements” for Northern Ireland.

It added: “First Flight Wind has concluded the project can no longer be built in the timeframes likely to be required under the new market rules. As a result, it is not going to be possible to continue with further project development and consent related activity.”

The wind farm was scheduled to start operating by 2020 and help reduce Northern Ireland’s dependence on imported fuel.

Latest Podcast