Risk of asbestos in wind turbine procurement, and risk assessment

Summary

A request was made to the Manx Utilities Authority for details on wind turbine procurement activities and asbestos risk assessments since September 2023. The Authority responded on 21 January 2026 stating that some information was sent, but not all requested data was held.

Key Facts

• The Manx Utilities Authority publicly stated in September 2023 that no wind turbines had been ordered.
• The FOI request was received on 23 December 2025.
• The response was issued on 21 January 2026.
• The outcome of the request was 'Some information sent but not all held'.
• The request specifically targeted procurement activities and asbestos risks in components like brake pads and yaw brakes.

Data Disclosed

• 2025-12-23
• 2026-01-21
• 2023-09-01
• 5185301
• 4 pages
• 1 document

Original Request

In September 2023, the Manx Utilities Authority publicly stated that it had not yet ordered any wind turbines, while indicating that procurement would need to proceed promptly to meet delivery timelines for an onshore wind farm. In light of that statement, and recent international findings concerning asbestos in certain wind turbine components, please provide the following information. 1. Procurement activity since 1 September 2023 Please confirm whether, since that date, the Authority has: a. Placed any orders (conditional or otherwise) for wind turbines or components b. Entered into any contracts, framework agreements, call-offs, options, or letters of intent c. Made any advance payments, deposits, reservation fees, or manufacturing-slot payments d. Reserved or provisionally reserved manufacturing or delivery capacity e. Approved any internal procurement decisions or business cases (including those later paused or cancelled) For any 'yes' answers, please provide the supplier/manufacturer, description, nature of commitment, dates, values, and current status. 2. Components and asbestos risk Please confirm whether any wind turbine components ordered, specified, evaluated, or discussed with suppliers since 1 September 2023 (including brake pads, lift brake systems, yaw brakes, or other friction and wear materials) contain or may contain asbestos, including where such components were proposed, specified, considered, or ordered but not delivered. 3. Due diligence and mitigation Please provide copies of any documents held since 1 September 2023 relating to: - supplier asbestos-free declarations or certifications; - asbestos-related risk assessments or hazard registers; - procurement specifications addressing hazardous or restricted substances; - mitigation measures, safety controls, or monitoring arrangements; - correspondence with suppliers, advisers, or regulators on asbestos risk; - Decisions to delay, amend, or avoid procurement due to material or safety risks 4. Public statements Please provide copies of: - internal briefings supporting the September 2023 statement that no turbines had been ordered; and - any subsequent briefings used to inform public, ministerial, or parliamentary statements on this issue, including any internal definitions distinguishing 'ordered', 'purchased', or 'committed'; - Anticipated exemptions. If any information is considered qualified exempt information, including under sections 30, 35, or 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, any refusal must comply with section 18 of the Act, specifying the exemption relied upon and explaining why, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure. In applying any qualified exemption, the Authority is required to have regard to the Code of Practice issued by the Council of Ministers under the Act, including the requirement to identify specific prejudice, demonstrate necessity and proportionality, and properly weigh the public interest in transparency, health and safety assurance, and accountability. I further note that the Code of Practice confirms that possible embarrassment, reputational concern, loss of confidence, or the risk of misunderstanding are not valid public-interest arguments against disclosure. Thank you for your time.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Manx Utilities PO Box 177, Douglas Isle of Man, IM99 1PS

e: enquiries@manxutilities.im t: 01624 687687 www.manxutilities.im

Our ref: 5185301 21 January 2026

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 23 December 2025, which states:

"In September 2023, the Manx Utilities Authority publicly stated that it had not yet ordered any wind turbines, while indicating that procurement would need to proceed promptly to meet delivery timelines for an onshore wind farm.

In light of that statement, and recent international findings concerning asbestos in certain wind turbine components, please provide the following information.

1. Procurement activity since 1 September 2023
   Please confirm whether, since that date, the Authority has:
   a. Placed any orders (conditional or otherwise) for wind turbines or components
   b. Entered into any contracts, framework agreements, call-offs, options, or letters of intent
   c. Made any advance payments, deposits, reservation fees, or manufacturing-slot payments
   d. Reserved or provisionally reserved manufacturing or delivery capacity
   e. Approved any internal procurement decisions or business cases (including those later paused or cancelled)

For any 'yes' answers, please provide the supplier/manufacturer, description, nature of commitment, dates, values, and current status.

1. Components and asbestos risk
   Please confirm whether any wind turbine components ordered, specified, evaluated, or discussed with suppliers since 1 September 2023 (including brake pads, lift brake systems, yaw brakes, or other friction and wear materials) contain or may contain asbestos, including where such components were proposed, specified, considered, or ordered but not delivered.

2. Due diligence and mitigation
   Please provide copies of any documents held since 1 September 2023 relating to:

3. supplier asbestos-free declarations or certifications;
4. asbestos-related risk assessments or hazard registers;
5. procurement specifications addressing hazardous or restricted substances;
6. mitigation measures, safety controls, or monitoring arrangements;

7. correspondence with suppliers, advisers, or regulators on asbestos risk;

8. Decisions to delay, amend, or avoid procurement due to material or safety risks

9. Public statements
   Please provide copies of:

10. internal briefings supporting the September 2023 statement that no turbines had been ordered; and

11. any subsequent briefings used to inform public, ministerial, or parliamentary statements on this issue, including any internal definitions distinguishing 'ordered', 'purchased', or 'committed';

12. Anticipated exemptions.
    If any information is considered qualified exempt information, including under sections 30, 35, or 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, any refusal must comply with section 18 of the Act, specifying the exemption relied upon and explaining why, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

In applying any qualified exemption, the Authority is required to have regard to the Code of Practice issued by the Council of Ministers under the Act, including the requirement to identify specific prejudice, demonstrate necessity and proportionality, and properly weigh the public interest in transparency, health and safety assurance, and accountability.

I further note that the Code of Practice confirms that possible embarrassment, reputational concern, loss of confidence, or the risk of misunderstanding are not valid public-interest arguments against disclosure.

Thank you for your time."

Our response is as follows:

Response to Questions 1–2 Manx Utilities (MU) has not initiated any procurement activity in relation to wind turbines. Specifically, MU has not commenced any tendering processes, issued requests for proposals, engaged with suppliers, or entered into contractual arrangements concerning the acquisition, installation, or operation of wind turbine technology.

MU affirms its ongoing commitment to transparency in all operational matters and will issue further communications should procurement activities concerning wind turbines be initiated.

Comprehensive information regarding the Terms and Conditions for Procurement and Tendering is available on the website at https://www.manxutilities.im/page- footer/procurement/.

Response to Question 3 Further to your clarification of 21 January 2026, which confirmed that the scope of the question “relates solely to wind turbines and wind turbine components, and is limited to documents concerning asbestos risk, supplier assurance, due diligence, and

mitigation in connection with wind turbine procurement or consideration. It does not apply to Manx Utilities Authority operations as a whole”

We therefore reiterate that, as Manx Utilities has not initiated any procurement activity in relation to wind turbines. Accordingly, no information is available.

Response to Question 4 The following extract from the 25.04.25 Board minutes state – ‘It was further noted that the supply chain was dynamic and procurement of manufacture had not yet been engaged’.

To further advise, MU has made a substantial amount of information publicly available on the Manx Utilities website. These pages explain the transition programme and will be continually updated and expanded as progress is made.

I have detailed below the information that is held.

Please quote the reference number 5185301 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 to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date. ###