Onshore wind farms

Summary

The request sought minutes and records from the Energy Policy Board regarding onshore wind farm development, to which the Cabinet Office responded by releasing a confidential paper noting a Treasury Major Projects Board review of the Manx Utilities Cair Vie project.

Key Facts

• The Cair Vie onshore wind project is being developed by Manx Utilities under Treasury scrutiny.
• The Energy Policy Board was asked to note the findings of the Major Projects Board review on 19 May 2025.
• A Council of Ministers submission paper regarding the project was scheduled for 15 May 2025.
• The project is identified as a key component of the Isle of Man Energy Strategy and Climate Plan (2022-2027).
• The response indicated that the paper was for 'Information Only' with no financial implications requiring Treasury concurrence at that stage.

Data Disclosed

• 19/05/25
• 15 May 2025
• 2022-2027
• 1 January 2025
• Treasury Act 1985
• Climate Change Act 2021
• Equality Act 2017
• Climate Impact Assessment Regulations 2023

Original Request

Please provide copies of all minutes, papers, and records of discussion from the Energy Policy Board (established under the Energy Policy and Decision Making Direction 2023) which relate to the topic of onshore wind farm development. This should include, but not be limited to: * Any meetings where onshore wind farms were discussed; * Any decisions, recommendations, or positions adopted concerning onshore wind farm policy or projects; * Any correspondence or supporting documentation circulated to or within the Board in relation to onshore wind farms; * Any inputs or briefings provided by the Lead Officer Group or Energy Team regarding onshore wind.

Data Tables (7)

Full Response Text

Confidential Page 1 of 7

Energy Policy Board Paper

Department/Board/Office Energy Policy Board Chief Officer Mark Lewin Responsible Officer Steve Forden Cut ups to be sent to Phil King, Caldric Randall Date of Energy Policy Board Meeting
19/05/25

Title Noting the review of onshore wind by the Treasury major projects board

Has appropriate internal and/or public consultation taken place? Internal Are there any resource, personnel, or financial implications? No Is Treasury concurrence required? Will the proposal have any effect on public revenue or capital spending? Please provide details in the paper.
No Please specify the date and Treasury minute reference at which Treasury concurrence was approved.1

Do you have the statutory vires? (If yes, provide confirmation of the source within ‘Background’) Not applicable Does the recommendation have Political approval within the Department/Board/Office? Not applicable Date approval granted

GDPR Implications

Data Protection Impact Assessment undertaken? No Detailed evaluation undertaken? No Are there any Equality Act Implications? Append a copy of the impact assessment Not Applicable Has a Climate Impact Assessment been undertaken? Append a copy of the impact assessment Not Applicable

1 Treasury concurrence must be in place, if required, prior to the item being submitted to Council Confidential Page 2 of 7

Introduction The development of onshore wind is a key component of the Isle of Man Energy Strategy and the Climate Plan (2022-2027). To deliver the commitment to onshore wind, Manx Utilities have been developing the Cair Vie project, under scrutiny by Treasury.
The Energy Policy Board is invited to note the attached paper from the Major Projects Board regarding the onshore wind project,

The Energy Policy Board is also invited to note that there will be an opportunity in June to discuss the forthcoming net zero power roadmap, ahead of a proposed COMIN workshop in July. The intention is to gather feedback from the Board and Council that will inform this key deliverable of the overall Island Energy Strategy.

Confidential Page 3 of 7

Appendix 1

Paper No. 2024/

Council of Ministers – Submission Paper

Title Manx Utilities Onshore Wind project update from Major Projects Board Business Routine Business Aim2 Information Only Recommendation/Conclusion For noting Collective Responsibility Part of Our Island Plan

Department/Board/Office The Treasury with responsibility for the Major Projects Board Chief Officer Caldric Randall Responsible Officer Andrew Sidebottom

Minute point to be sent to Caldric Randall, Andrew Sidebottom, Phil King, Simon Clague Date of Council meeting
15 May 2025

Compliance The below must be considered. If applicable to your proposal, add detail in the paper’s narrative.

Are there any human resource/personnel implications? No Are there any financial implications?3 Yes Is Treasury concurrence required?4

If yes, please specify the minute reference at which this was provided. No

Are there any cross-Government implications?

If yes, which department(s)/bodies are involved, and has consultation with these taken place? No

Is the Department acting within its legal powers (vires)?5 Yes Has your Department's communications partner been advised and appropriate communications plans in place? No Legislative Impact Assessment for major primary legislation No Public Sector Equality Duty6 No Public Sector Climate Change Duties7 Yes

2 From 1 January 2025, it will be mandatory for public bodies / departments to prepare and append the Summary Report page from its Climate Impact Assessment for any paper submitted to Council for approval or direction [pursuant to regulation 5(1)(a) of the Climate Impact Assessment Regulations 2023]; this is not required for ‘information only’ papers 3 Compliance with Treasury Act 1985 – Section 10; and financial regulations
4 If yes, Council Papers cannot be submitted unless concurrence has been given 5 If the Department/body is or is not acting within legal powers, provide information and evidence in the narrative, consulting with the Attorney General’s Chambers where necessary 6 Equality Act 2017 – Part 11, Division 1 [Public Sector Equality Duty]
7 Climate Change Act 2021 – Part 5 [Planning and Reporting Duties of Public Bodies] Confidential Page 4 of 7

Future Population/Demographic Impact8 No

8 Consider the objectives of the Economic Strategy; the working population; development of ‘family-friendly’ policies; long-term (generational) spending or revenue Major Projects Board review of onshore wind • EPB asked to note the findings of the Major Projects Board in respect of the onshore wind project • Issues highlighted in respect of timescale for delivery

and cost •

• Cost quoted are extremis, to allow for flexibility within the planning application process Onshore wind update  Earystane still considered best Isle of Man site and deliverable, although challenging.  Significant survey work undertaken to understand the site, transport routes and project logistics  Key Risks (time, cost, quality): Planning, Funding, Supply Chain/Procurement o planning application to be submitted within the next six to eight weeks, but current focus is on quality o planning application on a ‘maximum design’ basis to reduce post-planning risks o maximum number of turbines and maximum heights based on known commercial options

Onshore wind update  No firm orders will be placed for components or construction until final planning consent obtained, and Tynwald have approved the funding.  Cost - overall scheme cost is expected to be within the originally predicted £40m cost envelope based on the ‘maximum design’. 

 Comms plans being developed to support planning application.  Benefits remain intact – local renewable energy, independence, price stability and economics, improved bio-diversity and flood management.

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244
Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 4691282 30 July 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 28 May 2025, which states:

"Please provide copies of all minutes, papers, and records of discussion from the Energy Policy Board (established under the Energy Policy and Decision Making Direction 2023) which relate to the topic of onshore wind farm development. This should include, but not be limited to:

• Any meetings where onshore wind farms were discussed;

• Any decisions, recommendations, or positions adopted concerning onshore wind farm policy or projects;

• Any correspondence or supporting documentation circulated to or within the Board in relation to onshore wind farms;

• Any inputs or briefings provided by the Lead Officer Group or Energy Team regarding onshore wind."

Please find enclosed the information requested. Please note that we advised on 24 June to advise it is necessary to extend the standard processing period to consider whether a qualified exemption applied.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee.

Some of the information requested is available on the Freedom of Information disclosure log, case ID 4226349; “Please provide copies of all agendas and minutes for the Energy Policy Board since its formation.” This response covered minutes and agendas and the information held from formation of the Energy Policy Board up to the date of the response (10 January 2025):

The response can be accessed by online here: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of- information/search and using the Case ID “4226349” into relevant search field.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some of
the information is exempt from disclosure under section 34(1)(a) and (b) of the Act as it relates to the formulation or development of government policy and communications 2 between Ministers (including, in particular, the proceedings of the Council of Ministers or of any committee of the Council of Ministers).

As section 34 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure

• Disclosure would build trust with the public about the onshore wind project. • Transparency in relation to high value capital projects. • There is a public interest in disclosing factual information used to provide an informed background to decision taking and would increase confidence in decisions relating to this project.

Factors in favour of withholding

• It is important that Ministers are able to receive advice and have full and frank advice without the “chilling effect” of worrying about the misinterpretation of information. • This is still a live project, which will be subject to the planning process in the public gaze in the near future. • To protect the deliberative process and provide a safe space to protect information in the early stages of policy formulation and development.

In taking these factors into account, the Cabinet Office determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Additionally, whilst it is the aim of the Cabinet Office to provide information whenever possible, in this instance some of the information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(1)(a) and 30(1)(b) of the Act as disclosure could prejudice the economic interests and financial interests of the island.

As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure

• There is a strong public interest in this project and disclosure would allow scrutiny of the costs involved and detail what public money has been budgeted within the project. • Disclosure would allow scrutiny around the use of public funds, showing that those funds are being used effectively and providing value for money. This would provide a better public understanding and inform public debate. • Disclosure would build trust between the public and Government Departments and provide transparency. • To build public trust and transparency in the operation of the economy and to increase the credibility of economic policy decision makers and enhance the 3 reputation of the Isle of Man as a fair and honest business environment.

Factors in favour of withholding

• The underlying purpose of these exemptions as applied are to protect the economy. • Disclosure of financial details associated with the project could cause economic and financial stability for the Isle of Man Government, including the Statutory Board undertaking the project, which would in turn affect the public. • Disclosure of commercially sensitive information to the public would likely provide potential participants within the tender process a commercial advantage. This would undermine the fairness of the transparent and open tendering process which is required to achieve best value of public funds, in turn affecting reputation and trust. • Where information has been received from confidential sources (e.g. overseas governments or regulators) and these relationships would be damaged by disclosure and reduce the likelihood of information being made available in the future.

In taking these factors into account, the Cabinet Office determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Some information is exempt under section 35(b)(i) and (ii) of the Act, as disclosure would be likely to inhibit the free and frank provision of advice or the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. As section 35 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test.

Factors in favour of disclosure

• To promote transparency of interactions within Isle of Man Government. • Disclosure of the information would provide transparency to the public and provide confidence in decisions made relating to the project. • There is a significant public interest in the costs, timelines, due process and milestones relating to the project. • As the project has gained public interest, the disclosure of the information relating to costs, timeframes and milestones would inform public debate.

Factors in favour of withholding

• Disclosure would be likely to inhibit the ability of public authority staff and others to express themselves openly, honestly and completely, or to explore extreme options, when providing advice. • Disclosure of this information would impair future communications and ‘water down’ the detailed recording of such advice. • Departments need a ‘safe space’ in which to consider, deliberate and debate with Manx Utilities when dealing with ongoing projects and applications for funds. 4 • The project is still live and full disclosure of information held at this stage may hinder or have undue effect on decisions made relating to further progression of the project. • Many of the timelines, milestones and costings will become evident by public announcement at the designated and commercially correct time as not to bias decision making or commercial sensitivities that may occur if disclosed early.

Please quote the reference number 4691282 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded

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