The UK government has granted development consent for the Mona Offshore Wind Farm, a major renewable energy project set to deliver up to 1,500 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity in the Irish Sea.
The decision was announced by Ed Miliband and forms part of the Round 4 Offshore Wind Leasing arrangements. It was accepted for examination by the Planning Inspectorate in March 2024.
Over the following six months, the application was subject to a detailed examination process, where local communities, statutory bodies and interested stakeholders were invited to present evidence.
The Examining Authority submitted its recommendations to the Secretary of State on 16 April 2025.
“This is the 95th energy application out of 159 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008,” said the Planning Inspectorate.
The project’s approval follows extensive public engagement.
“Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them,” the Inspectorate added. “The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”
The Mona Offshore Wind Farm is expected to contribute significantly to the UK’s renewable energy targets and energy security, forming part of the government’s wider strategy to transition to a low-carbon power system.
At full capacity, it could provide electricity for more than a million homes.
