Energy Secretary approves largest Irish Sea offshore wind farm
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-04)

Mona offshore wind farm given the green light by the Energy Secretary.

- Mona offshore wind farm has the potential to power the equivalent of more than 1 million homes with clean, secure, homegrown power
- developer estimates project will support thousands of jobs over the life of the project – delivering on Plan for Change
- approval another step forward for energy security and making Britain a clean energy superpower
More clean, homegrown, secure energy will be delivered for the British people as the Energy Secretary today (Friday 4 July) gives the green light to the largest offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea.

It is estimated the Mona Offshore Wind Farm could generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1 million British homes, providing a major boost for the national mission to become a clean energy superpower.

Situated in the Irish Sea, the project will power growth across the country by building supply chain opportunities, with the developer launching a portal where local companies can offer their skills to deliver the project, boosting local communities in Wales and across the UK.

The developer estimates it will support thousands of jobs, contributing to the up to 100,000 jobs supported by the offshore wind sector in Great Britain by 2030.

Jobs are expected to include engineers and maintenance operations during the construction phase, driving industrial renewal in proud manufacturing communities as part of the Plan for Change.

One year since taking office the government has made progress on delivering for the British people as part of the Prime Minister’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. This year’s actions lay the foundations for clean power by 2030 – all part of the mission to get energy bills down for good.

In its first year this government has consented new clean energy projects that can generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of almost 2 million homes. Mona will add to this by powering the equivalent of more than a million homes.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

This government was elected to take back control of our energy- and in our first year we have shown that the clean power revolution is here to stay.

Whether it’s offshore wind, solar or nuclear, we are backing the builders not the blockers so we deliver the clean homegrown power this country needs to protect family finances through our Plan for Change.

Notes to editors

You can find the decision letter here: Mona Offshore Wind Farm: development consent order, Planning Act 2008 (https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/wales/mona-offshore-wind-farm/?ipcsection=docs).

Mona homes powered estimate: Our homes powered estimate reflects the equivalent number of homes that could be powered based on an estimate of the annual generation from the Mona offshore wind farm, assuming generating capacity equivalent to its maximum grid connection (1.5 GW). The estimate is calculated using household consumption estimates sourced from the published Subnational Electricity and Gas Consumption Report and the 2024 average offshore wind specific load factors published in the department’s Energy Trends statistical publication (table 6.1) (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-section-6-renewables). The actual generation will vary based on site specific factors.

Consented homes powered estimate: Our homes powered estimate reflects the equivalent number of homes that could be powered from the roughly 4 GW offshore wind and solar capacity consented by this government before this decision. It is based on a combination of published load factors (solar PV - 2023 Electricity Generation Costs Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-generation-costs-2023)) and developer estimates (offshore wind - Rampion 2), combined with the above household consumption data.

Jobs supported by Mona: The developer (bp and EnBW) estimates the project will support thousands of jobs and represent a significant economic opportunity for the UK. More information on their estimates is published here: Supporting the local, regional and national economy (https://www.morganandmona.com/en/supporting-the-local-regional-and-national-economy/).

Up to 100,000 jobs supported by offshore wind in Great Britain by 2030: This includes direct and indirect jobs. Information on the methodology underpinning this estimate can be found here: Job estimates for wind generation by 2030: methodology note (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-technologies-future-job-estimates-methodology/job-estimates-for-wind-generation-by-2030-methodology-note).

Jobs supported and homes powered by Leasing Round 5 projects: These estimates are sourced from The Crown Estate – more information on their methodology can be found here: New frontier for UK offshore wind with leading developers set to deliver new generation of floating windfarms (https://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/news/new-frontier-for-uk-offshore-wind-with-leading-developers-set-to-deliver-new-generation-of-floating-windfarms).

Actual generation will vary somewhat based on site-specific factors. It is not possible to continuously power a home through intermittent renewables – this capacity will work alongside the rest of the electricity system to power homes and businesses.