The UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent to the 1,500MW Mona offshore wind project.
The offshore wind farm is proposed to be built in the eastern Irish Sea by Mona Offshore Wind, a joint venture of bp and Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW).
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The wind farm is expected to be operational by 2030 and aims to contribute significantly to renewable energy generation.
The project includes offshore elements designed to generate electricity, alongside both offshore and onshore components to facilitate the transmission of the generated electricity to the national grid.
Key features of the project include up to 96 wind turbine generators, four offshore substation platforms, offshore interconnector cables, inter-array cables and export cables.
The wind farm will also feature onshore cables, an onshore substation, four transition joint bays for connecting offshore and onshore cables, and a connection to the existing Bodelwyddan national grid substation.
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By GlobalDataClassified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), the Mona offshore wind project has submitted a development consent order (DCO) application to the Secretary of State.
EnBW programme director Sarah Pirie stated: “We are delighted that the Mona offshore wind farm has secured consent from the Secretary of State of Energy Security and Net Zero. This approval follows a rigorous and comprehensive process, affirming the project’s readiness to deliver large-scale, lower-carbon energy that strengthens the UK’s energy security and is crucial to achieving a net-zero future, while aiming to minimise environmental impact.
“We will now advance supply chain engagement across multiple engineering and construction scopes.”
Mona is the first project from the UK’s Round 4 Offshore Wind Licensing Arrangements leasing round to secure consent, progressing from lease award to approval faster than any other UK offshore wind farm.
The application was submitted by Mona Offshore Wind to the Planning Inspectorate in February 2024 and accepted for examination in March 2024. Following a thorough examination, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State in April 2025.
Before construction commences, the project requires a marine licence to be issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the team will continue to collaborate with NRW to ensure a timely grant of the licence.
