Plans to install solar panels on the roof of the National Sports Centre (NSC) in Douglas have been approved.

Manx Utilities Authority (MUA) chairman John Wannenburgh told the House of Keys in November last year that solar panels would be installed on the NSC roof during 2026.

He confirmed at the time that a project manager had already been appointed to oversee the work, but said there was 'nothing tangible' yet regarding similar schemes at Noble's Hospital or the Sea Terminal.

The panels, which are expected to generate 735kW of electricity, could now be installed before the end of the year after planning permission was granted.

In a planning statement submitted in April, the MUA said: 'The purpose of the proposal is to generate renewable electricity for export directly to the Manx Utilities power system as a front-of-meter installation and to support the Government objectives for decarbonisation and energy resilience.

'The proposal comprises the installation of approximately 1,200 photovoltaic modules on suitable roof areas of the main NSC building.'

The MUA said rooftop solar panels have already been installed on commercial and private buildings across the island without any adverse impact.

It said: 'Rooftop solar has precedent across the Isle of Man, with small and medium-scale installations approved in both residential and commercial contexts.

'Such approvals demonstrate broad policy support for renewable energy where visual and environmental impacts are minimal.

'Renewable energy installations in such locations are fully consistent with national climate policy and are strongly preferred to rural construction.'

The planning statement concludes that the proposal supports the Island Development Plan and the Government's climate objectives, while having negligible visual, environmental and amenity impact and delivering public benefits through clean energy generation.

No date has yet been confirmed for the installation of the solar panels.