How wind farm plans are influencing Manx voters ahead of election

With Isle of Man voters heading to the polls for the island's general election, plans for a major offshore wind farm have become an increasingly thorny political issue.

The proposed Mooir Vannin project has been put forward by Danish energy firm Orsted, and would see 87 turbines built six to 12 miles (11.1km to 22.2km) off the eastern coast of Maughold.

The plans are currently under an independent examination, which is expected to close on 9 September, with a final recommendation expected early next year.

The final decision will be made by a future Council of Ministers, meaning many residents ready to cast their vote on 24 September are choosing their MHKs with this topic in mind.

The issue appears to be dividing opinion among voters.

Poppy Fearon said it would "totally ruin the amazing view that we have" and she did not understand why people would want "that eyesore here".

While she understood the benefits, she said she did not believe the island needed it.

She added she would not vote for a candidate in favour of the plans.

Ray Lawley, who lives in Ramsey, had a different view.

"We can't keep burning oil and gas," he said.

"The climate is changing all the time and we need to do everything we can to slow it down and I think wind farms are a great way forward."

But Laxey resident Mark Pigeon said he was "vehemently against" the plans because "there will be an intrusion on our way of living, our life".

He said he was concerned about the visual impact and possible effects on tourism and wildlife.

Asked whether the wind farm was an election issue for him, he said: "Absolutely."

Bill Dale, who lives in Andreas and runs a beach cleaning charity, said he supported renewable energy but believed the debate had become too polarised.

"I am 100% in favour of green energy and we've got to get there at some point we can't rely on burning fossil fuels forever," he said.

But he argued that voters should consider more than one issue when choosing candidates.

In opposition to the plans, campaign group No Offshore Turbines Isle of Man has now amassed more than 10,000 signatures.

Orsted's current plans are different than the original proposal, with the maximum turbine tip height reduced from 350m (1,148 ft) to 330m (1,082 ft), and the company has also placed the proposed turbines further offshore.

Orsted said the major infrastructure project could bring significant economic benefits of £2bn over 35 years, an average of £57m a year.

And project director Jamie Baldwin said there were options for the island to benefit from the electricity generated.

One option was an undersea connection directly to the island, which the company estimated would cost about £100m and said it would pay for.

Another was a power purchase agreement using the existing interconnector between the island and UK.

Baldwin said the company estimated the value of its offer could be equivalent to around 10% to 15% of people's electricity bills, although he stressed that Orsted did not control electricity prices on the island.

The company said it would also establish an operations and maintenance base if the project went ahead, creating at least 30 direct land-based jobs on the island.

Isle of Man Green Party Andrew Langan-Newton argued the election gave voters an opportunity to choose candidates based on their approach to renewable energy.

It was important for new MHKs "to take a stance on these important issues", he said.

Langan-Newton supported the development of renewable energy but also argued the government should be doing more elsewhere, including installing solar panels, developing battery storage and considering other forms of wind generation.

He said: "They can't just focus on one area and think that's going to be the absolute solution."

Voters head to the polls on 24 September to vote for the future 24 MHKs representing the island's 12 constituencies.

Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.