Photo of offshore wind farm by Jesse De Meulenaere
The UK Government has granted development consent for the Mona Offshore Wind Farm, a major clean energy project off the coast of North Wales. The announcement was made by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, confirming approval under the Planning Act 2008 after a detailed examination process.
The Mona wind farm is being developed by Mona Offshore Wind Limited, a joint venture between bp and German energy company EnBW. Located approximately 28 to 47 kilometres off the North Wales coast in the Irish Sea, the wind farm will have the capacity to generate up to 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity — enough to power over one million homes.
The consent allows for the installation of up to 96 offshore wind turbines and four offshore substation platforms, with electricity transmission infrastructure connecting the site to an onshore substation at Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.
The application for development consent was submitted in February 2024, and the Planning Inspectorate’s examination concluded in January 2025. Following this six-month review, the Secretary of State determined the project met all environmental, planning, and public interest requirements.
Construction is expected to begin following a final investment decision in 2026 or 2027, with the project potentially delivering first power between 2028 and 2029.
According to economic projections, the project will support approximately 3,420 jobs throughout its lifecycle — including over 700 in design and development, more than 2,100 during construction, and nearly 600 long-term operational roles.
The wind farm is expected to bring substantial investment to the region, enhancing port infrastructure and creating new opportunities for Welsh and UK-based supply chains. The site also supports Wales’s renewable energy target of generating 70% of electricity from renewables by 2030, as well as the UK’s national commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Mona is part of Round 4 of the Crown Estate’s offshore wind leasing programme, which aims to accelerate the UK’s offshore wind rollout and deliver up to 8 GW of additional capacity through new seabed rights.
Alongside its sister project, the Morgan Offshore Wind Farm, Mona represents a major step forward in expanding the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure while supporting local economies and reducing reliance on fossil fuels (Power Initiatives).