Responses to have the public consultation on the Mooir Vannin offshore wind farm application have been published.

A total of 477 responses were submitted to the consultation which opened on August 26 and closed on November 18.

Submissions range from the need for energy security to concerns over wildlife habitats, shipping lanes and the financial position of the developer.

One contributor said offshore wind could play a valuable role in the island’s energy future.

But he said support for the project should be contingent upon developer Ørsted providing clear and binding commitments to funding and installing the shore connection and supplying electricity at no greater cost - and ideally at a discount - to that currently paid by Manx Utilities.

Another contributor expressed strong support for the proposed offshore wind farm.

He said he had spent ‘countless’ hours using AI to respond to ‘inaccuracies, half-truths, and unfounded fears’ posted on social media add had come to a conclusion that onshore and offshore wind represent a ‘useful and responsible’ investment even without a target for net zero target.

Mooir Vannin Offshore Wind Farm Limited, part of Ørsted, proposes to develop an offshore windfarm off the north-east coast of the island.

It has an agreement for lease of the area with the Department of Infrastructure.

Council of Ministers has now referred the application for examination to an independent panel of experts which will ultimately advise CoMin on whether a marine infrastructure consent should be granted.

Over the coming weeks the panel will conduct a thorough review of the application and consultation responses.

They will set out their initial assessment, the procedure and timetable at a public, preliminary meeting, which formally begins the 130-day statutory examination period.

Following completion of the examination period, the panel will make its recommendation to Ministers within 60 working days, and CoMin will make its decision within 30 working days.